This document was prepared by the Community Policing Consortium, supported by grant number 93–DD–CX–K005, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime.

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Acknowledgments

The Bureau of Justice Assistance wishes to thank Stephen J. Gaffigan, Director of Operations, Community Policing Consortium for supervising and coordinating the preparation of this document with the Consortium Management Team. BJA also acknowledges the members of the Executive Board and Advisory Board, who provided a wealth of expertise and information essential to the content of the document. Executive Board Richard Ward Director, Discretionary Grant Programs Division Bureau of Justice Assistance Dan Rosenblatt Executive Director International Association of Chiefs of Police Charles “Bud” Meeks Executive Director National Sheriffs’ Association Chuck Wexler Executive Director Police Executive Research Forum Hubert Williams President Police Foundation Member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Margaret Heisler Program Manager, Law Enforcement Branch Bureau of Justice Assistance Stephen J. Gaffigan Director of Operations Community Policing Consortium Consortium Management Team Stephen J. Gaffigan Director of Operations Community Policing Consortium Ray Galvin Project Director International Association of Chiefs of Police John R. Doyle Project Director National Sheriffs’ Association John Stedman Acting Associate Director of Research Police Executive Research Forum Bill Matthews Deputy Director for Administration Police Foundation Lillian T. Dote Operations Coordinator Community Policing Consortium Advisory Board Dr. Lee Colwell University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2801 South University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204

Some examples of these publications are—
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Expansion of Understanding Community Policing: A Framework for Action This preliminary study will be expanded in the future as the Consortium continues its work with police departments as they implement community policing. The goal of this work is to share practical information with the law enforcement profession throughout the country vii
. Creating a constructive partnership will require the energy. Reinvigorating communities is essential if we are to deter crime and create more vital neighborhoods. the document describes the historical evolution of community policing and its potential for the future. A foundation of trust will allow police to form close relationships with the community that will produce solid achievements. effective policing is impossible. backed by the police organization. creativity.Monograph
Preface
Community policing is. Trust is the value that underlies and links the components of community partnership and problem solving. helps community members mobilize support and resources to solve problems and enhance their quality of life. The knowledge gained from this sitework will be reflected in future Consortium publications. and the Police Foundation. all members of the community become active allies in the effort to enhance the safety and quality of neighborhoods. Without trust between police and citizens. it will take time to break down barriers of apathy and mistrust so that meaningful partnerships can be forged. in essence. This monograph is a product of the Community Policing Consortium. Reflecting the Consortium’s perspective. the new emphasis on making community members active participants in the process of problem solving. the Police Executive Research Forum. The expanded outlook on crime control and prevention. In some communities. and patience of all involved. understanding. The neighborhood patrol officer. Community members voice their concerns. With the police no longer the sole guardians of law and order. and the patrol officers’ pivotal role in community policing require profound changes within the police organization. which is made up of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. and take action to address these concerns. contribute advice. the National Sheriffs’ Association. a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems. and it will provide the basis for the Consortium’s work with demonstration sites and law enforcement organizations as they implement community policing. Community policing has far-reaching implications.

Bureau of Justice Assistance

that will help them plan and implement community policing based upon the experiences of other departments.
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A Series of Monographs The Consortium is planning to publish a series of individual monographs that will address issues relating to the implementation of community policing. The topics for these monographs will target critical implementation issues such as strategic planning, internal and external assessment measures, and methodologies for conducting successful internal and external needs assessments. Case Studies The Consortium will identify applications of community policing that improve local crime control and prevention initiatives and will document these experiences for publication and dissemination to other departments. This dynamic and ongoing process will allow for the immediate exchange of practical experiences for the benefit of other communities. This process will also identify the successes, failures, and frustrations that reflect the reality of implementing community policing.

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The Consortium looks forward to working collaboratively with law enforcement organizations throughout the country as they explore strategies for effectively implementing community policing. As a resource center and facilitator, the Consortium will tap into the vast resources of communities at the national, State, and local levels, and will focus these energies on one goal—to learn together how to make our communities safer.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introducing Community Policing .............................................. 1 Chapter 2: Tracing the Roots of Community Policing ............................... 3 An Idea for the Times ................................................................................. 3 The Role of the Police: A Historical Perspective ........................................ 5 A Social and Professional Awakening ........................................................ 6 The Role of Research in Policing ................................................................ 7 Police Response to the Need for Change .................................................. 11 Chapter 3: Defining the Core Components of Community Policing ...... 13 The Two Core Components ..................................................................... 13 The Concept of Community ..................................................................... 13 Community Partnership: Core Component One ....................................... 15 Problem Solving: Core Component Two .................................................. 17 Implications for Management and the Organizational Structure .............. 22 Values: The Guiding Principles ................................................................ 24 Chapter 4: Implementing a Community Policing Strategy ...................... 27 Some Implementation Basics .................................................................... 27 City and Community Resources ................................................................ 28 Plan of Action: Three Options .................................................................. 29 Scope of Initial Implementation Efforts ..................................................... 30 Mobilizing Support .................................................................................... 31 Timing ....................................................................................................... 33 Managing Internal Change ........................................................................ 34 Deployment of Personnel .................................................................... 34 Supervision ........................................................................................... 35 Human Resource Development ........................................................... 36

he movement toward community policing has gained momentum in recent years as police and community leaders search for more effective ways to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Chiefs, sheriffs, and other policing officials are currently assessing what changes in orientation, organization, and operations will allow them to benefit the communities they serve by improving the quality of the services they provide. Community policing encompasses a variety of philosophical and practical approaches and is still evolving rapidly. Community policing strategies vary depending on the needs and responses of the communities involved; however, certain basic principles and considerations are common to all community policing efforts. To date, no succinct overview of community policing exists for practitioners who want to learn to use this wide-ranging approach to address the problems of crime and disorder in their communities. Understanding Community Policing, prepared by the Community Policing Consortium, is the beginning of an effort to bring community policing into focus. The document, while not a final product, assembles and examines the critical components of community policing to help foster the learning process and to structure the experimentation and modification required to make community policing work. Established and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Community Policing Consortium includes representatives from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the Police Foundation. BJA gave the Consortium the task of developing a conceptual framework for community policing and assisting agencies in implementing community policing. The process was designed to be a learning experience, allowing police, community members, and policymakers to assess the effectiveness of different implementation procedures and the impact of community policing on local levels of crime, violence, fear, and other public-safety problems. The development of this community policing framework presented policing organizations with an opportunity to contribute to the evolution and implementation of community policing. The sharing of successes, failures, and frustrations was and will continue to be an inherent part of this process. The 1

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Chapter 5 presents the criteria for assessing the progress of a community policing initiative. and a selection of case studies and anecdotal experiences to illustrate the challenges and results of community policing endeavors. which will contain training materials with curricula.
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. county. and by acting as a resource for State. the Consortium will also develop and disseminate a comprehensive resource directory and bibliography of community policing literature and practices intended to assist in future design and implementation efforts. BJA and the Community Policing Consortium will develop an array of products. Through BJA. including a community policing implementation guide. Chapter 4 presents the basic organizational and operational elements associated with the implementation of a community policing strategy. by serving as a repository for community policing information. As the field of community policing evolves. the Community Policing Consortium. and municipal police agencies interested in learning more about community policing and its implementation. and the practitioner community. The two defining elements of community policing–community partnership and problem solving—are examined in Chapter 3. As the field of community policing develops.Bureau of Justice Assistance
Community Policing Consortium facilitates this dialog by providing direct training and technical assistance to the demonstration sites. Understanding Community Policing provides a conceptual framework that will be useful to practitioners interested in implementing or expanding community policing initiatives. this document will be updated and revised to reflect the transformations taking place at the test sites in this collaboration between the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Chapter 2 describes the reasons why police professionals throughout the United States have been searching for an alternative policing strategy and traces the roots of community policing.

in the changing nature of communities. The family unit is not as stable as it once was.
. often have different interests and pursue disparate goals. Both the level and nature of crime in this country and the changing character of American communities are causing police to seek more effective methods. In this rapidly changing environment.Chapter 2
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Tracing the Roots of Community Policing
Community Policing
s defined by the Community Policing Consortium. where police cope with an epidemic drug problem. gang violence. Policing strategies that worked in the past are not always effective today. the social fabric of our country has changed radically. Immigrants. Governments at all levels are having increased difficulty balancing budgets. Many urban communities are experiencing serious problems with illegal drugs. community partnership and problem solving. . and burglaries. muggings. They are also noting increases in crime and disorder. The desired goal. Practitioners agree that there is a pressing need for innovation to curb the crises in many communities. an enhanced sense of safety. Police leaders using this commonsense 3
In this rapidly changing environment. ethnic groups.
A
An Idea for the Times
There are compelling reasons why law enforcement leaders believe the time has come to alter the policies and practices of their organizations. . security. The movement toward these two ideas in the United States has been initiated and shaped by concerned police executives throughout the country. and churches and schools have been unable to fill this void. and well-being. the concept of community policing is taking hold. . community policing consists of two core components. and increased levels of violence. and in the shifting characteristics of crime and violence that affect these communities. the concept of community policing is taking hold. These reasons are rooted in the history of policing and police research during the last quarter of a century. Single working parents find it extremely difficult to spend enough time with their children. while adding to the diverse nature of American communities. Suburban and rural communities have not escaped unscathed. gang activity. has not been achieved. murders. and minorities. which frequently forces police departments to allocate dwindling resources to growing problems. which are both outlined in Chapter 3. In addition.

Perspectives on Policing. and disregard for the law. The police and the community become partners in addressing problems of disorder and neglect (e. All who share a concern for the welfare of the neighborhood should bear responsibility for safeguarding that welfare. Community policing is democracy in action. civic and business leaders. the ensuing partnership will be better able to pinpoint and mitigate the underlying causes of crime. It requires the active participation of local government. and must make a commitment to increasing crime-prevention and intervention activities.g. and hospitals. The implementation of community policing necessitates fundamental changes in the structure and management of police organizations.Bureau of Justice Assistance
approach to the problems of crime and disorder. although perhaps not criminal. Washington. who describes it as the “changing of policing. While crime control and prevention remain central priorities. Based on The Newark Foot Patrol Experiment.: National Institute of Justice and John F. Government and community leaders are beginning to recognize that they also must accept responsibility for keeping their neighborhoods safe.
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. Kennedy School of Government. community policing strategies use a wide variety of methods to address these goals.” In addition.
Community policing is democracy in action. The Evolving Strategy of Policing. Community policing differs from traditional policing in how the community is perceived and in its expanded policing goals.C. keep residents in their homes. residents. can eventually lead to serious crime. Community policing is being advocated by leaders at the highest levels of government—including President Clinton and Attorney General Reno. 1988:p. an approach that may very well enhance and maximize performance and resources... D. schools.”1 However. and broken windows) that. George L. churches. instead of being forced into an after-the-fact response to crime. Police agencies must help build stronger. and Mark H. this climate of decline can result in even greater numbers of crimes. Moore. By getting the community involved. Police are finding that crime-control tactics need to be augmented with strategies that prevent crime. abandoned cars. Washington. more self-sufficient communities—communities in which crime and disorder will not thrive. fear which has been found to be “. because fear of crime can limit activity. have struck a responsive chord in both national and local governments and in communities across the Nation. As links between the police and the community are strengthened over time.
1. A highly visible police presence helps reduce fear within the community. Harvard University. gang activity.: Police Foundation.. reduce the fear of crime.8.C. and contribute to empty streets. public and private agencies. 1981. it has been suggested that community policing can play a primary role in changing the way all government services are provided at the community level. and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. D. police will have more resources available for crime-prevention activities. violence.more closely correlated with disorder than with crime.. Kelling. Communities must take a unified stand against crime. Fear of crime has become a significant problem in itself.

Harvard University.108.: National Institute of Justice and John F. . George L. “Enriching Traditional Police Roles.C. Police and Communities: the Quiet Revolution. designed to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and to encourage a professional aura of impartiality. Statistics on unreported crime suggest that in many cases police are not aware of existing problems. police may not have access to pertinent information from citizens that could help solve or deter crime.C. Braiden. Establishing this trust will take time. This isolation hampers crime-fighting efforts. . Perspectives on Policing. Kennedy School of Government. Experience and research reveal that “community institutions are the first line of defense against disorder and crime.the police are the public and the public are the police. D. the concept of centralized management of most police organizations has often served to isolate police from the communities they serve.C. D. Kennedy School of Government. 1988:p. the police lost sight of this relationship as the central organizing concept for police service. Helpful information will be forthcoming from community members when police have established a relationship of trust with the community they serve. This is the essence of community policing. Washington.
2. particularly in communities where internal conflicts exist or where relations with the police have been severely strained. Washington. The Evolving Strategy of Policing.4 Police managers assigned officers to rotating shifts and moved them frequently from one geographical location to another to eliminate corruption. Harvard University.
.: National Institute of Justice and John F. This is the essence of community policing. 1992:p.4–5. Only when community members believe the police are genuinely interested in community perspectives and problems will they begin to view the police as a part of that community.Monograph
Analyses of crime statistics show that the current emphasis on crime fighting has had a limited effect on reducing crime. Researchers have suggested that the reform era in government... Moore.. he set forth a number of principles. resulted in the separation of the police from the community.. In addition.” 2 Thus.2. Kelling.
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. Chris.” Police Management: Issues and Perspectives. coupled with a nationwide move toward professionalization. and Mark H. 3.. Washington. As quoted in Kelling.”3 For a number of reasons. Without strong ties to the community. D. 4. which began in the early 1900’s.
The Role of the Police: A Historical Perspective
When Sir Robert Peel established the London Metropolitan Police. Community policing offers a way for the police and the community to work together to resolve the serious problems that exist in these neighborhoods. George L. one of which could be considered the seed of community policing: “. Management also instituted a policy of centralized control. 1988:pp.: Police Executive Research Forum. it is essential that the police work closely with all facets of the community to identify concerns and to find the most effective solutions. Perspectives on Policing. it is essential that the police work closely with all facets of the community to identify concerns and to find the most effective solutions.

and other groups began to demonstrate in order to be heard. Police had trouble communicating with all members of the socially and culturally diverse communities they served.”5
A Social and Professional Awakening
The burst of ideas. Statistics. Police were instructed to change routes constantly. however. However. The movement to end police corruption. arguments. Harrington. the emphasis on professionalization. and the development of new technology occurred in an era of growing crime and massive social change. One observer of the urban scene characterized the deteriorating police-community relationship this way: “For the urban poor the police are those who arrest you. The police and the public had become so separated from one another that in some communities an attitude of “us versus them” prevailed between the police and community members. As increasingly sophisticated communications technology made it possible for calls to be transmitted almost instantaneously. The height of police isolation came in an era of growing professionalization. Focusing attention on police policies and practices became an effective way to draw attention to the
5. rapid response became an end in itself.
This social distancing was also reinforced by technological developments. in an effort to thwart criminals. officers had to respond to demands for assistance regardless of the urgency of the situation. The expanding role of automobiles replaced the era of the friendly foot patrol officer. left police little time to prevent crimes from occurring. New York: Macmillan. rapid telephone contact with police through 911 systems allowed them to respond quickly to crimes.
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. By the 1970’s. Antiwar protestors. counted the incidence of crimes. civil rights activists. The advent of the computer also contributed to the decrease in police contact with the community. Answering the overwhelming number of calls for service. community members also lost the ability to predict when they might be able to interact with their local police. Random patrolling also served to further break the link between communities and police. As computers generated data on crime patterns and trends.16. and protests during the 1960’s and 1970’s mushroomed into a full-scale social movement. Overburdened and poorly prepared police came to symbolize what these groups sought to change in their government and society. and calculated the rapidity and outcome of police response. increased the efficiency of dispatch. Answering calls severely limited a broad police interaction with the community. Michael. became the focus for officers and managers. The Other America: Poverty in the United States. rather than the type of service provided or the service recipients. 1981:p. when the prevailing ideology was that the professional knew best and when community involvement in crime control was seen by almost everyone as unnecessary.Bureau of Justice Assistance
The police and the public had become so separated from one another that in some communities an attitude of “us versus them” prevailed between the police and community members.

: U. Department of Justice. The police force’s inability to handle urban unrest in an effective and appropriate manner brought demands by civic leaders and politicians for a reexamination of police practices. and Charles E. three Presidential Commissions made numerous recommendations for changes in policing—recommendations that were initially responded to by outside organizations. D.S. The Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment: A Technical Report. Part I—Crime Analysis.
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need for wider change. A number of organizations within the policing field also became committed to improving policing methods in the 1970’s. Federally funded victimization surveys documented the existence of unreported crime. Practitioners had to acknowledge that only a fraction of crimes were being reported. citizens began to take a stronger hand in the development of policies and practices that affected their lives. George L. Police became the targets of hostility. D. which ultimately led police leaders to concerned reflection and analysis.
The Role of Research in Policing
Increases in Federal funding and the growth of criminal justice education resulted in the rapid development of research on policing. Washington. 7. Agencies of the U.6 Another study by the Kansas City Police Department assessed the value of rapid response by police and concluded that in most cases rapid response did not help solve crimes.S. Brown.7
6.C. and technology upgrading.C. the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. played a major role in stimulating. research. These organizations conducted much of the basic research that led police to reevaluate traditional policing methods. Government Printing Office. supporting. This field experiment found that randomized patrolling had a limited impact on crime or citizens’ attitudes and caused police leaders to begin thinking about alternative ways to use their patrol personnel. Washington. the Police Executive Research Forum. Among those on the forefront of this movement for constructive change were the Police Foundation. these Federal agencies supported a wide variety of police training. and. Kansas City Police Department. began seeking ways to improve their image and to interact more effectively with the communities they served. In addition. Duane Dieckman. Response Time Analysis: Volume II. therefore.: Police Foundation. 1980:p. and disseminating research and technical assistance. 1974:pp. in collaboration with countless police departments throughout the country who were open to research and innovation. the Urban Sheriffs’ Group of the National Sheriffs’ Association. Many of the research findings challenged prevailing police practices and beliefs. conferences. 533–5. Millions of dollars were spent to foster and support criminal justice education.. An early research study was the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment. and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.iii. Between 1968 and 1973.iii. In this era of protest. Antony Pate. Kelling.

9 The objectives of the project were to increase the efficiency with which calls for service were managed and to improve citizen satisfaction with police service. “A Problem-Oriented Approach to Police Service Delivery. and William Spelman. 9. and a
8. Missouri: Kansas City Police Department. Kansas City Police Department. This study revealed a need for formal call-screening procedures to differentiate between emergency and nonemergency calls. The Directed Patrol study assessed how to use most effectively the time made available by more efficient call-response measures.” Police and Policing: Contemporary Issues. The alternate strategies were found to be successful in diverting calls from mobilized field units without a loss in citizen satisfaction. D. Washington. the department instituted support steps that included crime analysis. a large portion of serious crimes are not deterred by rapid response. rather than performing randomized patrols when not handling calls. John E. To direct officers’ attention and to help them secure time. 1989:p. 1974:p.. both police and nonpolice delayed-response strategies.
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. the officers’ time could be more profitably spent addressing specific criminal activities. ed. The study included the use of call-prioritization codes. While a prompt police response can increase the chance of making an onscene arrest. and walk-in report-handling capabilities.8 Differential police response strategies were also examined by the Birmingham. Studies of alternative responses to calls for service found that community residents would accept responses other than the presence of police immediately on the scene if they were well informed about the types of alternatives used. an assessment of the relationship between field interrogations of suspicious persons and criminal deterrence. New York: Praeger. ed. . Alabama. The crime sample that was analyzed indicated that almost two-thirds of these crimes were not reported quickly enough for rapid response to be effective. Police Department. . call-stacking procedures.465. the time it takes a citizen to report a crime largely predetermines the effect that police response time will have on the outcome. Kansas City. More efficient dispatching of calls could make additional time available for patrol officers to interact with the community. This study led to further research that also demonstrated the value of response strategies that ensured that the most urgent calls received the highest priority and the most expeditious dispatch..101.: Police Executive Research Forum. Directed Patrol: A Concept in Community-Specific. and Service-Specific Policing.3. Michael T. Differential Police Response Strategies. Farmer.
The study revealed that a large portion of serious crimes are not deterred by rapid response. 10. Crime-Specific. teleservice.C. The San Diego Police Department conducted several significant research studies during the 1970’s. 1981:p.10 The study suggested that. Eck.Bureau of Justice Assistance
. These included an evaluation of one-officer versus two-officer patrol cars. Dennis Jay Kenney. and teleservice.

and Michael E. D. .. In 1979. the officers were able to obtain valuable information about criminal activity and perpetrators. POP required a move from a reactive. Virginia. POP was found to be an effective approach to addressing many community problems. Officers participating in the COP project concluded that random patrolling was not as important as previously thought.99. They also concluded that developing stronger ties with members of the community was more important than once believed. and important data about POP design and implementation was gathered. . Goldstein. 12. the project demonstrated that interaction with the community could improve the attitudes of officers toward their jobs and toward the communities they served and could encourage the officers to develop creative solutions to complex problems.81.Monograph
community-oriented policing (COP) project.. substantive work of policing and advocated that police identify and address root causes of problems that lead to repeat calls for service. which encouraged police to begin thinking differently about their purpose. San Diego Community Profile: Final Report. Finally. and William Spelman. Herman. .12 Goldstein suggested that problem resolution constituted the true. The COP project required patrol officers to become knowledgeable about their beats through “beat-profiling” activities. in which officers studied the topographics. They were also able to obtain realistic assessments of the needs of community members and their expectations of police services.13 Other research indicated that police could identify the “hot spots”
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.: Police Executive Research Forum.C. 1987:pp. the COP project demonstrated the critical role that shift lieutenants and sergeants play in program planning and implementation. John E.
11. interaction with the community can improve the attitudes of officers toward their jobs and toward the communities they serve . Washington. Washington. Many of the findings from this study have a direct bearing on contemporary community policing efforts. Problem Solving: Problem-Oriented Policing in Newport News.11 which was the first empirical study of community policing. In addition. demographics. . John E.83. .” Crime and Delinquency 25(1979):pp. 13. incident-oriented stance to one that actively addressed the problems that continually drained police resources. In a study of POP implementation in Newport News. “Improving Policing: A Problem-Oriented Approach. Officers must be assigned to permanent shifts and beats if they are to participate in community activities. The exclusion of supervisors in training and development efforts ultimately led to the demise of the COP program in San Diego. Officers were also expected to develop “tailored patrol” strategies to address the types of crime and citizen concerns revealed by their profiling activities. The study also exposed the need to reevaluate the issue of shift rotation.: Police Foundation. by getting to know members of the community.C. Boydstun. Herman Goldstein developed and advanced the concept of “problem-oriented policing” (POP). D. 1975:p. and call histories of their beats. Eck. First.241–3. Sherry.

19.felt especially safe when the foot patrol officer was well known and highly visible.C.Bureau of Justice Assistance
of repeat calls in a community and thereby devise strategies to reduce the number of calls.C.”18 In addition. thereby reducing the tremendous case loads of detectives and allowing them to devote more time to complex investigations. it is worth noting that in both cities the use of foot patrols increased officer satisfaction with police work.. Robert C. Kelling.” Journal of Police Science and Administration 11(1983):pp. Washington.410–419. Police and Communities: The Quiet Revolution. East Lansing: Michigan State University.. Buerger.5. and Michael E. Residents said foot patrols made them feel safer and residents “. 1975:p. George L. Michigan. Kelling. The Newark Foot Patrol Experiment. Robert C. Washington. This dramatically challenged traditional thinking about the roles of detectives and patrol officers in the handling of investigative functions. Trojanowicz. Sherman. “An Evaluation of a Neighborhood Foot Patrol Program. community organizing. The implementation of appropriate training would allow patrol officers to perform some early investigating that could help in obtaining timely case closures. and Joan Petersilia. Kennedy School of Government. Lawrence W. Jan M... The implication was that patrol officers should become more actively involved in criminal investigations.” Journal of Police Science and Administration 11(1983).v. The Newark Foot Patrol Experiment suggested that police could develop more positive attitudes toward community members and could promote positive attitudes toward police if they spent time on foot in their neighborhoods. D.16 Foot patrol also eased citizen fear of crime. Michigan. and Joan Petersilia. Santa Monica: Rand Corporation.g.persons living in areas where foot patrol was created perceived a notable decrease in the severity of crime-related problems... Harvard University.
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. George L.: Police Foundation.: National Institute of Justice and John F. See also Greenwood.15 This study concluded that detectives solved only a small percentage of the crimes analyzed and that the bulk of the cases solved hinged on information obtained by patrol officers. 1977. “. Gartin. also elicited citizen approval. Greenwood.”17 Experimental foot patrols in Flint. 16. The Criminal Investigation Process. Peter W.86.” Criminology 27(1989):p. door-to-door
14.. An Evaluation of the Neighborhood Foot Patrol Program in Flint. 1981:pp. Lexington: DC Heath. Perspectives on Policing. 1988:p. 17. Chaiken. the Rand Corporation examined the role of detectives.. D. Robert C.19 The fear reduction studies provided empirical data on the effectiveness of key community policing tactics (e. Peter W. Trojanowicz.39. 1982:p. The Criminal Investigation Process—Volume I: Summary and Policy Implications. 18.14 While much of the policing research conducted in the 1970’s dealt with patrol issues. Patrick R. “An Evaluation of a Neighborhood Foot Patrol Program.94–96. See also Trojanowicz. 15. “Hot Spots of Predatory Crime: Routine Activities and the Criminology of Place.

Sherman. 1986:p.3. police managers are beginning to adopt the principles associated with total quality or participatory management. it was not surprising that these innovations were often overwhelmed by traditional policies and that the innovators were frequently suspected of being manipulated by outsiders or of pursuing their personal career agendas at the expense of the organization. Wesley G. Mary Ann Wycoff. police managers are beginning to adopt the principles associated with total quality or participatory management. Antony M. Many experienced police managers and officers found it difficult to accept this challenge to the practices and procedures that had always guided their actions. Management practices that restrict the flow of communication and stifle innovation are giving way to the belief that those actually working in the community can best understand its needs and develop ways to meet them. Management’s current challenge is to meet the escalating and varied demands for service with more effective delivery strategies to optimize staff and resources. D.
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. Ideas that were raised 20 years ago have been modified and expanded to fit current conditions.
20.. Many of today’s police managers have supplemented their professional education by studying literature developed since the 1970’s. and Lawrence W. Following the lead of corporate America. Skogan. There is growing recognition in policing that employees should have input into decisions about their work. and to involve the community in policing efforts. . Reducing Fear of Crime in Houston and Newark: A Summary Report. They also contributed their time and expertise to the newly created police organizations that were working to bring about improvements in policing policies.20 Driving this study was the notion that if fear could be reduced. neighborhood mini-stations. Washington.Monograph
contacts. Police also realize that not only the service
. Thus.C.: Police Foundation. However. . Pate. Once considered radical. community residents would be more inclined to take an active role in preserving safety and tranquility within their neighborhoods. to encourage innovative thinking. many of these police leaders found themselves alone when they tried to infuse their own departments with this spirit of change. and intensified enforcement coupled with community involvement) in reducing fear among residents. many of the strategies that evolved from this research on policing are now considered necessary for improving performance.
Police Response to the Need for Change
A number of dynamic police leaders participated in various Presidential Commissions during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Community policing implementation was impeded by centralized management practices and traditional operating assumptions. improving community conditions. Police executives realize that it is no longer sufficient to think in terms of making only minor alterations to traditional management and operational practices. and enhancing the image of the police.

Today the movement for change within policing is led aggressively by policing practitioners themselves. long-term solutions to deepening problems of crime and violence.
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. Incorporating the core components of community policing delineated in the next chapter with existing policing methods is the first step in this ongoing process.Bureau of Justice Assistance
providers but also the service recipients must define priorities and join forces with others to find inventive. The current shift to community policing reflects the conscious effort of a profession to reexamine its policies and procedures.

The foundations of a successful community policing strategy are the close. To develop community partnership. police must develop positive relationships with the community. must involve the community in the quest for better crime control and prevention. business people—all those who work and live in the community and have a stake in its development—will share responsibility for finding workable solutions to problems that detract from the safety and security of the community. schools. Community policing consists of two complementary core components.
Community policing consists of two complementary core components. the unique geographical and social characteristics of neighborhoods while still allowing efficient service. The “community” for which a patrol officer is given responsibility should be a small. Community policing is the synthesis of these two movements. tapping into the expertise and resources that exist within communities will relieve police of some of their burdens. community partnership and problem solving.
The Concept of Community
The goal of community policing is to reduce crime and disorder by carefully examining the characteristics of problems in neighborhoods and then applying appropriate problem-solving remedies.Chapter 3
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Defining the Core Components of Community Policing
Community Policing
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he growing trend within communities to participate in the fight against crime and disorder has paralleled a growing recognition by police that traditional crime-fighting tactics alone have a limited impact on controlling crime. Community policing does not imply that police are no longer in authority or that the primary duty of preserving law and order is subordinated. Beats should be configured in a manner that preserves. church groups. community partnership and problem solving. and must pool their resources with those of the community to address the most urgent concerns of community members. social agencies. Local government officials. well-defined geographical area. However. Problem solving is the process through which the specific concerns of communities are identified and through which the most appropriate remedies to abate these problems are found. as much as possible.
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. mutually beneficial ties between police and community members.

helps create neighborhood security. or school. A community consists of more than just the local government and the neighborhood residents. In addition. Interest groups within communities can be in opposition to one another—sometimes in violent opposition. they will provide the bulk of the daily policing needs of the community. and concerns. private and public agencies. a community
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. and they will be assisted by immediate supervisors. Including these “communities of interest” in efforts to address problems of crime and disorder can expand the resource base of the community. as well as adding “mini-stations” to bring police closer to the community. Upper level managers and command staff will be responsible for ensuring that the entire organization backs the efforts of patrol officers. Officers working long-term assignments on the same shift and beat will become familiar figures to community members and will become aware of the day-to-day workings of the community. Although the delivery of police services is organized by geographic area. values. church. In community policing efforts. Churches. and horseback patrols. in turn. Patrol cars are only one method of conveying police services. particularly in urban settings. and appropriate government and social agencies. Regular community meetings and forums will afford police and community members an opportunity to air concerns and find ways to address them. social groups. Effective community policing depends on optimizing positive contact between patrol officers and community members. which. but also as skillful mediators. or a common history. Fear must be reduced if community members are to participate actively in policing. schools. especially in times of changing demographics and population migrations. This increased police presence is an initial move in establishing trust and serves to reduce fear of crime among community members. Others form and reform as new problems are identified and addressed. and those who work in the area are also vital members of the community. Police departments may supplement automobile patrols with foot. These multiple and sometimes conflicting interests require patrol officers to function not only as preservers of law and order. People will not act if they feel that their actions will jeopardize their safety. For example. those who visit for cultural or recreational purposes or provide services to the area are also concerned with the safety and security of the neighborhood. Concerns and priorities will vary within and among these communities of interest. a community may encompass widely diverse cultures. ethnic.
Patrol officers are the primary providers of police services and have the most extensive contact with community members. occupational lines. Some communities of interest are long-lasting and were formed around racial. Intracommunity disputes have been common in large urban centers. Demands on police from one community of interest can sometimes clash with the rights of another community of interest.Bureau of Justice Assistance
Effective community policing depends on optimizing positive contact between patrol officers and community members. hospitals. bicycle. scooter. other police units.

the intoxicated. guaranteeing a person’s right to speak. family violence. Police must recognize the existence of both to build the cooperative bonds needed to maintain order. which the group believes may result in discriminatory arrest practices..
Establishing and maintaining mutual trust is the central goal of community partnership. helping resolve domestic and neighborhood conflicts (e. or racial harassment). and control crime.
15
. So how then do the cooperative efforts of community policing differ from the actions that have taken place previously? The fundamental distinction is that. working with residents and local businesses to improve neighborhood conditions. police have encouraged community members to come forth with relevant information. community members must communicate their views and suggestions and back up the negotiating efforts of the police.g. The key to managing this difficult task is trust. Police recognize the need for cooperation with the community. protecting the exercise of constitutional rights (e. Police must build lasting relationships that encompass all elements of the community and center around the fundamental issues of public safety and quality of life.
Community Partnership: Core Component One
Establishing and maintaining mutual trust is the central goal of the first core component of community policing—community partnership.g. provide a sense of security. The conflicts within communities are as important as the commonalities.. the police become an integral part of the community culture. In addition. but must also work with all of the community members involved to find a way to preserve neighborhood peace. In this way. In the fight against serious crime. and the mentally ill). in community policing. These activities could include: helping accident or crime victims. and providing a model of citizenship (helpfulness. worked with social agencies.. providing emergency medical services. Community partnership means adopting a policing perspective that exceeds the standard law enforcement emphasis. The police must not only protect the rights of the protesting group. the homeless. The police must encourage a spirit of cooperation that balances the collective interests of all citizens with the personal rights of individuals. respect for others. protecting lawful assemblies from disruption).Monograph
group may oppose certain police tactics used to crack down on gang activity. and taken part in educational and recreational programs for school children. This broadened outlook recognizes the value of activities that contribute to the orderliness and well-being of a neighborhood. adolescent runaways. landlord-tenant disputes. For this process to be effective.g. providing emergency social services and referrals to those at risk (e. participated in business and civic events. police have spoken to neighborhood groups. and fairness). and the community assists in defining future priorities and in allocating resources. honesty. The difference is substantial and encompasses basic goals and commitments. the entire community participates in the mediation process and helps preserve order. Special units have provided a variety of crisis intervention services. controlling automobile and pedestrian traffic.

where mistrust of police may have a long history. Washington. families.. this cooperative relationship will deepen the bonds of trust.Bureau of Justice Assistance
These services help develop trust between the police and the community.
TRUST
Fa c
s te ta ili
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNITY CONTACT
Figure 1
Community Partnership Process
21. churches. Building bonds in some neighborhoods may involve supporting basic social institutions (e. and will provide an opportunity for officers to establish a working relationship with the community. The effective mobilization of community support requires different approaches in different communities. In turn. or rudeness at any level of the agency will dampen the willingness of community members to ally themselves with the police. But trust must be achieved before police can assess the needs of the community and construct the close ties that will engender community support. Under community policing.g. aloofness. as Figure 1 illustrates.21 The creation of viable communities is necessary if lasting alliances that nurture cooperative efforts are to be sustained. will engender support for needed crime-control measures. This trust will enable the police to gain greater access to valuable information from the community that could lead to the solution and prevention of crimes. and George L. the police become both catalysts and facilitators in the development of these communities. schools) that have been weakened by pervasive crime or disorder. Building trust will not happen overnight.C.
16
. Moore. Kelling. it will require ongoing effort. The use of unnecessary force and arrogance. To build this trust for an effective community partnership police must treat people with respect and sensitivity. D. 1988:p. Robert Trojanowicz. Harvard University. Mark H. The entire police organization must be involved in enlisting the cooperation of community members in promoting safety and security.: National Institute of Justice and John F.10. Perspectives on Policing. Establishing trust and obtaining cooperation are often easier in middle-class and affluent communities than in poorer communities.. Crime and Policing. Kennedy School of Government.

and then applying the appropriate resources. and problem solving will become a cooperative effort. police/community partnership entails talking to local business owners to help identify their problems and concerns. but as a partner in this effort. providing critical social services will be acknowledged as being inextricably linked to deterring crime.” and on the assumption that “Individuals make choices based on the opportunities presented by the immediate physical and
17
. and local government officials. leaders.. the patrol officer will canvass the neighborhood for information about a string of burglaries and then revisit those residents to inform them when the burglar is caught. But it is not sufficient. Community concerns with crime and disorder thus become the target of efforts by the police and the community working in tandem. and authority figure versus subordinate. The more conspicuous police presence of the long-term patrol officer in itself may encourage community response.
Problem Solving: Core Component Two
Problem solving is a broad term that implies more than simply the elimination and prevention of crimes. The chief police executive will explain and discuss controversial police tactics so that community members understand the necessity of these tactics for public and officer safety. The partnership between the police and the community must be enduring and balanced. In this police/community partnership.
The police and the community must be collaborators in the quest to encourage and preserve peace and prosperity. and every level of the department will actively solicit the concerns and suggestions of community groups. visiting residents in their homes to offer advice on security. The close alliance forged with the community should not be limited to an isolated incident or series of incidents. residents. For the patrol officer.Monograph
Community policing expands police efforts to prevent and control crime. The entire police organization must vigorously enlist the cooperation of community residents in pursuing the goals of deterring crime and preserving order. Problem solving is based on the assumption that “crime and disorder can be reduced in small geographic areas by carefully studying the characteristics of problems in the area. The department management will consult community members about gang suppression tactics.. nor confined to a specific time frame. Police personnel on every level must join in building a broad rapport with community members. and helping to organize and support neighborhood watch groups and regular community meetings. The community is no longer viewed by police as a passive presence or a source of limited information. It must break down the old concepts of professional versus civilian. expert versus novice. For example. The police and the community must be collaborators in the quest to encourage and preserve peace and prosperity.

some of which come to police attention.: Police Executive Research Forum. there is a growing awareness that community involvement is essential for its success. Neighborhood groups and the police will not always agree on which specific problems deserve attention first. facilitates the exchange of information. Washington. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 1987:p. and leads to the identification of other areas that could benefit from the mutual attention of the police and the community. community participation in identifying and setting priorities will contribute to effective problem-solving efforts by the community and the police. 23. D.23 As police recognize the effectiveness of the problem-solving approach. Problem Solving: Problem-Oriented Policing in Newport News.xvi–xvii.. By manipulating these factors.Bureau of Justice Assistance
social characteristics of an area. the problem with derelicts should also receive early attention from the police with the assistance of other government agencies and community members. the social setting in which these people interact.C. Determining the underlying causes of crime depends. and William Spelman.” Crime and Justice: An Annual Review of Research. acts of vandalism. to a great extent. one police captain reported the following:
Determining the underlying causes of crime depends. the problem-solving process. These incidents.xvi. Washington. on an indepth knowledge of community. For example. Police may regard robberies as the biggest problem in a particular community. like community partnership. and other incidents. are symptoms of the problems. For example. is self-renewing.”22 The problem-solving process is explained further: The theory behind problem-oriented policing is simple. D. Therefore. Problem Solving: Problem-Oriented Policing in Newport News. 1983. The incidents will continue so long as the problem that creates them persists. Ronald V..: Police Executive Research Forum. eds. to a great extent. while residents may find derelicts who sleep in doorways. potential victims. and William Spelman. 1987:pp. break bottles on sidewalks. the physical environments. Eck.
18
. These conditions might include the characteristics of the people involved (offenders. on an indepth knowledge of community. A problem created by these conditions may generate one or more incidents. Underlying conditions create problems. intimidation of pedestrians by rowdy teenagers. “Situational Crime Prevention: Its Theoretical Basis and Practical Scope.C. and the way the public deals with these conditions. Cooperative problem solving also reinforces trust. John E. Michael Tonry and Norval Morris. people will be less inclined to act in an offensive manner. may appear to be different.
22. For this process to operate effectively the police need to devote attention to and recognize the validity of community concerns. As Figure 2 illustrates. et al. social and physical conditions in a deteriorated apartment complex may generate burglaries. See also Clarke. and others). et al. while stemming from a common source. John E. and pick through garbage cans to be the number one problem. These incidents. Under community policing. Eck.

Beyond 911: A New Era in Policing. Mark H. Community problems might include the following:
s
An unusually high number of burglaries in an apartment complex that are creating great anxiety and fear among residents. Prostitutes in local parks or on heavily traveled streets. victim or perpetrator group. New York: Basic Books. time. the police must work with citizens to address them. The nature of community problems will vary widely and will often involve multiple incidents that are related by factors including geography. . while at the same time encouraging citizens to assist in solving the problems of concern to the police. Like abandoned cars: in one of our areas. 1990:pp.
fo rc es
19
. Malcolm K. Moore. .
s s
24. CommuFigure 2 Problem-Solving Process nity policing in effect allows community members to bring problems of great concern to them to the attention of the police. and environment. . When we started removing the cars their opinion of us went up. TRUST community policing must also address the problems of significant concern to the community. was that maybe some things that we thought were important to them really weren’t that important. or many communities. in addition to the serious crime problems identified by police.175–176.. They were really bugged about all these abandoned cars. and other things we didn’t think were important at all. . Once informed of community concerns. Sparrow. even though because we’d changed priorities we were putting fewer drug addicts in jail. Panhandling that creates fear in a business district. Kennedy. an entire community. Problems can affect a small area of a community.Monograph
What we found . and they thought it was a bad police department that wouldn’t take care of them.24
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
INFORMATION EXCHANGE
PROBLEM SOLVING
in Re
Therefore. and David M. were very important . that was a very important thing.

remove overgrown weeds and trim shrubbery. either because of their location within the store or because of posters plastered on front windows. This type of solution is usually limited to disorder problems. Reducing the degree of injury per incident. by working with other agencies more closely).Bureau of Justice Assistance
s
Disorderly youth who regularly assemble in the parking lot of a convenience store. The best solutions are those that satisfy community members. creativity. the problem-solving process is dependent on input from both the police and the community.g. creativity. diminish anxiety.
20
. and destroying or rehabilitating abandoned buildings that can provide an atmosphere conducive to crime. Manipulating environmental factors to discourage criminal behavior. churches. New York: McGraw Hill. Drug-dealing and the accompanying problems of robbery and gang violence will be decreased if the police and community work together to set up drug counseling and rehabilitation centers. and minimize coercive actions. For example. The following example describes such a solution: A patrol officer faced with chronic nighttime robberies of convenience stores discovered that a major contributing factor was that cash registers could not be seen from the street. and enthusiasm of those involved. Problem solving is limited only by the imagination. Improving problem handling. These solutions range from simple. and enthusiasm of those involved... perseverance. Longer range solutions might include intensifying drug education in schools. Problem solving can involve:
s
Eliminating the problem entirely. Herman. Community policing allows solutions to be tailor-made to the specific concerns of each community. police can teach store clerks how to act during a robbery in order to avoid injury or death and can advise women in the community on ways to minimize the chances of being killed or seriously injured if attacked. drug addicts.66–67. This can include collaborative efforts to add better lighting. long-term answers that will require significant investment of staff and resources. and hospitals. drunk drivers. Police should always make an effort to treat people humanely. perseverance. 1990:pp. or increase effectiveness in handling runaway juveniles. show sensitivity in dealing with rape victims and seek ways to ease their trauma. etc. An individual who persistently harasses and provokes community members. improve safety.25
s
Problem solving is limited only by the imagination.
In community policing. inexpensive measures to complex. strengthen the ties between the community and the police. Reducing the number of the occurrences of the problem. (e. Examples include eliminating traffic congestion by erecting traffic control signs. Problem-Oriented Policing. lead to increased order. Goldstein.
s
s
s
s
There are as many solutions as there are problems. The officer
25. and seal off vacant apartment buildings.

g. Meanwhile. Evidence of police concern and soliciting input from the community also reinforces cooperative ties. To identify this underlying problem. once addressed. A tremendous amount of leverage
Patrol officers serve as catalysts for joint police and community problem-solving endeavors. police managers might combine forces with a civil abatement agency to condemn and board up crack houses. Dietz and Baker. and when needed can help community members articulate their needs. their supervisors. determining that better lighting would decrease the incidence of muggings at a local park. “Murder at Work. Patrol officers may have noticed a correlation between spousal assaults and excessive drinking by the perpetrators. newspapers. They are involved with the community on a day-to-day basis. the prosecutor’s office.and senior-level police managers and community leaders might confer with women’s groups and other social agencies about providing temporary housing and counseling for victims and their families. held promise of reducing the number of future convenience store robberies..
26. other members of the business community. The officers. mid.26 Patrol officers serve as catalysts for joint police and community problemsolving endeavors. At the senior command level. and social agencies.273–274. Many problems within the community can be successfully handled by patrol officers or their immediate supervisors and members of the community—e. hospitals. Perpetrators with alcohol problems might be required to attend rehabilitation programs run by a city agency. are aware of local problems. understand its unique physical and social characteristics. For example. the patrol officer talked with and solicited suggestions from convenience store owners and employees. the YWCA. nearby military bases. The officer’s identification of a contributing cause of the robberies is a high-leverage accomplishment in terms of its likely positive impact on the frequency of future robberies. but instead identified an underlying condition that. and community members might explore ways to close down these clubs with the help of local zoning and city planning boards. depending on the scope and seriousness of the problem. members of the community might be able to repair an abandoned building to house the victims. All levels of the police organization should contribute to problem solving. crafting a solution to widespread incidents of spousal assault taking place in several communities in an agency’s jurisdiction might involve multiple levels of police management. One police officer seeking a systemwide approach to the problem of spousal assault formed a team comprised of units from the police department and representatives from women’s shelters. The problem-solving process relies on the expertise and assistance of an array of social and government agencies and community resources. and community residents. In addition.
21
.Monograph
did not identify the “root cause” or ultimate cause of crime. especially at illegal after-hours clubs.” American Journal of Public Health 77(1987): pp.

27.: Police Executive Research Forum.Bureau of Justice Assistance
can be attained through the collaboration and partnership of this type of far-ranging alliance. The residents should be secure in the knowledge that the police response will be appropriate for the urgency of the demand for service. Chris R. D. Community policing requires the shifting of initiative. To obtain this support.
Implications for Management and the Organizational Structure
Effective community partnership and problem solving will require the mastery of new responsibilities and the adoption of a flexible style of management.C. and responsibility downward within the police organization. community policing encourages the use of the 911 system only for true emergencies. . ed. Community policing puts new emphasis on tackling the underlying causes of crime by addressing problems at the grassroots level.
22
. Alternative responses will need to be thoroughly explained before community members will accept them. Under community policing. Nonemergency calls should be handled through other means. Washington. 1992:p. “Enriching Traditional Roles.” Police Management: Issues and Perspectives.101. To maximize the time that the patrol officer can spend interacting with community members. These alternative measures require a wide base of support within the community. Hoover. . The shift in status and duties of the patrol officer is critical to the community partnership and problem-solving components of community policing. including delays in responding and report handling by the police station or sheriff’s office over the telephone or by mail. the police must instruct residents on the nature of an emergency and on alternative responses to nonemergencies. and “.”27 With this responsibility comes wide-ranging discretionary and decisionmaking power. Braiden. Patrol officers are the most familiar with the needs and strengths of their communities and are thus in the best position to forge the close ties with the community that lead to effective solutions to local problems. Larry T. The neighborhood officer or deputy sheriff becomes responsible for managing the delivery of services to a community. Community policing emphasizes the value of the patrol function and the patrol officer as an individual.
Community policing emphasizes the value of the patrol function and the patrol officer as an individual. decisionmaking. Patrol officers have traditionally been accorded low status despite the scope and sensitivity of the tasks they perform. everything of a policing nature [in that community] ‘belongs’ to that person. and that the reduction in the volume of 911 calls will allow officers to spend more time in the community and will maximize the use of the residents’ tax dollars. patrol officers are given broader freedom to decide what should be done and how it should be done in their communities—they assume managerial responsibility for the delivery of police services to their assigned area.

Greater decisionmaking power is given to those closest to the situation with the expectation that this change will improve the overall performance of the agency. the actions of patrol officers and to ensure that officers have the necessary resources to solve the problems in their communities. and operated in a manner that supports the efforts of the patrol officer and that encourages a cooperative approach to solving problems. the police must move to empower two groups: the public itself and the street officers who serve it most closely and regularly. 1990:pp. .
23
. command is no longer centralized. management cannot hold the officers accountable to deal with problems if the officers are frequently rotated from one shift to another. 29. only when street officers have the operational latitude to take on the problems they encounter with active departmental backing will those needs really be addressed. Timothy N. Kennedy.182–183. Beyond 911: A New Era for Policing. Houston: Houston Police Department.29 Community policing alters the contemporary functions of supervisors and managers.12–13. Developing a Policing Style for Neighborhood Policing. Thus. Mark H. because the officers end up rotating away from the problems. Under community policing. This transformation in command structure is not only sound management.28 The enhanced role of the patrol officer has enormous organizational and managerial implications. Creativity and innovation must be fostered if satisfactory solutions to long-standing community problems are to be found.
28. It also discourages creative solutions to impact the problems. they are expected to engage in activities other than simply reacting to calls for service. Executive Session #1. Moore. and encouraged by the entire organization. and David M.Monograph
Assignment stability of these neighborhood officers is also essential if they are to develop close working relationships within their communities because .. a sense of responsibility to identify and resolve problems is lost. Oettmeier. Having officers periodically rotate among the shifts impedes their ability to identify problems. it requires establishing clearly stated values that provide both the
Creativity and innovation must be fostered if satisfactory solutions to longstanding community problems are to be found. . and William H. . New York: Basic Books. . The entire police organization must be structured. To establish a partnership with the community. Sparrow. Under community policing. management serves to guide. but is also crucial to the creation of meaningful and productive ties between the police and the community. . In addition. The transition to community policing requires recognizing that the new responsibilities and decisionmaking power of the neighborhood patrol officers must be supported.. guided. rather than dominate. Only when the public has a real voice in setting police priorities will its needs be taken seriously. managed. Malcolm K. Bieck. and many decisions now come from the bottom up instead of from the top down. 1987:pp. Likewise.

The culture of the police department therefore becomes one that not only recognizes the merits of community involvement but also seeks to organize and manage departmental affairs in ways that are consistent with such beliefs. Robert. and the community. Harvard University. in its policies. Harvard University. Values must be ingrained in the very culture of the organization and must be reflected in its objectives. Washington. This mission statement should be widely disseminated both inside and outside the police organization to garner public support and to facilitate accountability.C. Community policing . Kennedy School of Government. .Bureau of Justice Assistance
police organization and the public with a clear sense of policing’s expanded focus and direction. The entire agency must be committed to the values embodied by such a mission statement. Perspectives on Policing. they lend a coherence and predictability to top management’s actions and the responses to the actions of employees. 1989:p. . Brown... and in the actions of its personnel.31
30. In the move to community policing. D. .
Community policing is ultimately about values—specifically. Values are the beliefs that guide an organization and the behavior of its employees . This helps employees make proper decisions and use their discretion with confidence that they are contributing to rather than detracting from organizational performance.30 A clear statement of beliefs and goals gives direction to the organization and helps ensure that values are transformed into appropriate actions and behaviors. where problem-solving efforts and accountability are shared by the police. Community Policing: A Practical Guide for Police Officials. Values in Policing.1... Kennedy School of Government. Moore. 1988:pp. the local government.3. 31. Perspectives on Policing. relies heavily on the articulation of policing values that incorporate citizen involvement in matters that directly affect the safety and quality of neighborhood life.: National Institute of Justice and John F. .The most important beliefs are those that set forth the ultimate purposes of the organization . Lee P.. explicitly defined values become critically important in assigning responsibility and attracting and mobilizing support and resources.
24
..They provide the organization with its raison d’etre for outsiders and insiders alike and justify the continuing investment in the organization’s enterprise . . [They] influence substantive and administrative decisions facing the organization. the change in values that is needed to adapt policing to these changing times. and Mark H. Wasserman. Washington.: National Institute of Justice and John F. D.C.5.
Values: The Guiding Principles
A clear statement of beliefs and goals gives direction to the organization and helps ensure that values are transformed into appropriate actions and behaviors.

This assessment requires that the values be defined in operational terms such that an observer can know whether any particular employee action is on target or off target . Washington. William A. direct. initiative..
25
. D. . By creating a system of performance measurement. local government. The guiding values central to community policing are trust. and unassuming.C. and members of the community will form the basis of assessment systems that match actions and behaviors to the goals of community policing.” Local Government Police Management. ingenuity. . feedback and evaluative steps must be developed. Cordner. and Chuck Wexler.346–347. 3d edition. Planners must also think clearly about how management will know whether the desired changes are taking place. leadership.
32. and a broadened commitment to public safety and security. Geller. ed. Values must be unequivocally communicated so that officers understand the influence on their actions: Planners need to assess what specific behaviors by organizational members support or undermine the stated values.: International City Management Association. Craig B. 1991:pp. unambiguous link of values to behaviors. “Research. communication. cooperation. and Implementation. integrity. Fraser. responsibility.Monograph
An organization’s mission statement should be simple. Planning. . respect. specific operational meaning can be given to seemingly abstract values. discretion.32 Community policing relies on the establishment of a clear. A succinct mission statement that embodies these values and that is widely communicated to personnel. Gary W.

Bureau of Justice Assistance
26
.

The chief
33. in essence. A thorough assessment of current programs will help identify what will be required to integrate community partnership and problem-solving strategies and expanded crime control and prevention tactics with preexisting policies.2.
27
. comprehensive. The most appropriate implementation method will depend. Community policing cannot be established through a mere modification of existing policy. 1988:p. on internal and external conditions facing the agency.C. D. In some agencies. Identifying priorities for change will also permit police agencies to establish interim milestones for monitoring progress. For example. Washington. This will affect how a chief guides the organization toward the goals of community policing. Sparrow. Communication must be timely. Perspectives on Policing. On the other hand. and direct.Chapter 4
Monograph
Implementing a Community Policing Strategy
Community Policing
T
he implementation of a community policing strategy is a complicated and multifaceted process that.: National Institute of Justice and John F. profound changes must occur on every level and in every area of a police agency—from patrol officer to chief executive and from training to technology. Kennedy School of Government. Implementing Community Policing. Harvard University. current operations procedures and management practices may already conform closely to community policing. a chief executive who comes into an organization that is ripe for change at a time when confidence in the police is low may find that the organization will respond favorably to innovative policies. Malcolm K. requires planning and managing for change.33 One factor that will affect the approach to implementation is the extent of change that is required. while in others extensive changes may be necessary. Another essential element of successful implementation is communication.
Some Implementation Basics
Implementation plans will vary from agency to agency and from community to community. in part. a chief executive who inherits a smoothly running organization may find it more difficult to implement change. A commitment to community policing must guide every decision and every action of the department.

evaluation.
City and Community Resources
The long-term success of community policing in transforming the law enforcement profession depends on the willingness of local governments to pursue effective integration. Successful implementation requires the smooth flow of information. they must guide the expansion of this movement toward “community-oriented government” at the local level. Just as the police need to determine the best ways to respond to and solve problems of crime and violence. Regular communication will encourage active participation and decrease resistance and opposition. legislative representatives. Such flexibility is crucial to the success of community policing. All participants must understand their role in community policing efforts. the local political leadership. A strong research and planning capability that is open to suggestion and criticism will allow refinements and revisions to be made during the implementation process. and local levels to impact these problems more successfully. political leaders and service providers need to find ways to direct all available resources at these critical social problems.
28
. and the community at large. Lines of communication must be maintained both within the police organization and between the police and participants within the community.Bureau of Justice Assistance
Ongoing input. and other government executives must not be passive partners in this process. There are numerous ways in which police management can steer agencies toward community policing. Mayors. community policing can be a catalyst for mobilizing resources at the national. public and private agencies. and feedback from both inside and outside the police organization are essential to making community policing work. Regular communication with the heads of government agencies will help secure their assistance and will allow them to prepare their personnel for the additional service requests that will be received. city managers. Ongoing input. Collaboration between the police agency and local government officials is essential. The implementation of a community policing strategy must be a dynamic and flexible process. Elected and appointed administrators must understand the law enforcement agency’s implementation strategy and participate in its development. Planning must be responsive to changing needs. and priorities. however. since officers and supervisors will routinely seek assistance from local government departments for services from sanitation to health. conditions. All phases of community policing implementation must be carefully planned and properly timed to maximize success. evaluation. State. and feedback from both inside and outside the police organization are essential to making community policing work. even good ideas can fail if they are poorly executed. Law enforcement agencies alone do not have the resources to address all contemporary problems. This chapter offers guidelines that can be adapted to the circumstances of different organizations and communities.
executive must explain the concepts of community policing thoroughly to the entire police organization.

Couper. supervisors. and assigning officers to execute the plan. Plan. it may not adequately represent all levels of command. phone numbers. addresses. and social agencies. involves more personnel at the outset. some part of the implementation process may be miscalculated. This approach clearly delineates a set of strategies and actions that impart a sense of direction to implementation efforts. Plan and implement. planning and action occur simultaneously. and a description of services. and dispatchers to provide references to community members. The chief or sheriff should enlist the support of these private agencies in community policing efforts. While the planning process continues. function. the agency risks false starts.34 Depending on the nature and scope of the problem addressed. In the absence of experience-based feedback. Washington. However.
29
.Monograph
Nongovernment agencies and institutions constitute another important community asset. 1991:p. Each of the following three approaches has strengths and weaknesses. Planning can also become excessive and may stifle enthusiasm. government agencies.
34. and Sabine H. Quality Policing: The Madison Experience.. however. the agency begins to implement certain aspects of the program. with tasks and timelines. This list should include names. and explicit procedures must be established that facilitate the appropriate use of resources.: Police Executive Research Forum. D. and experience within the organization. the initial planning stage for a large agency can take months or even years. In this approach. Keeping the planning staff relatively small may prevent the process from becoming unwieldy. The department must develop close cooperative links with all community policing partners who contribute to the problem-solving process.C.67. the composition of problem-solving teams could be restricted to police personnel or could include representatives from the community. This method entails developing a detailed longrange plan.
Plan of Action: Three Options
There is no “right” way to implement community policing. One department invited representatives from these organizations to participate in training sessions on community-oriented policing. This method allows the agency to get started quickly. thus creating the risk that the plan will not be well implemented. Lobitz. David C. Planning can also be complicated by the size of the staff involved. however. This information should be easily accessible to allow patrol officers. Every member of the police organization can contribute to the development of a comprehensive list of available government and private resources. then implement. and permits future planning to benefit from feedback. and even a very detailed plan will be unable to predict the obstacles that will arise.

The amount of time required will depend on the current orientation of the organization. organizationwide implementation may not be feasible for agencies in which current methods of policing are deeply ingrained. However. Initiating changes of this magnitude will require patience. the size of the organization.
Scope of Initial Implementation Efforts
Initial implementation of community policing can involve the entire agency. The third option is for an agency with little preparation or knowledge of the nature of community policing to quickly launch into the action phase and then. Implementation of community policing through a special. establish bonds with the community. The method of planning and implementing simultaneously will probably prove most effective for the majority of agencies implementing community policing. This process is continuous. its eventual implementation throughout the agency could be significantly impaired. However. Among the factors to be considered when selecting a method of implementation are the extent of change in current agency operations that will be required. For these reasons. and the expectations of the community. Effective implementation will require time to train personnel. and total commitment. or only a special unit or district. perseverance. Many systems will need to be restructured to facilitate new job responsibilities and to foster productive partnerships with the community.Bureau of Justice Assistance
confusion. with each reevaluation cycle advancing the idea of community policing a bit further within the organization. Agencywide commitment will require a reevaluation of all aspects of operations. care must be taken to avoid creating divisions within the agency. to retool the effort and begin the cycle again. and major blunders unless effective. In addition. its existing relationship with the community. This approach assumes that a limited knowledge of community policing may prevent agencies from initially planning in a meaningful way. If community policing is perceived as merely a special-unit function. and regular communication takes place between planners and implementers. Implement with little planning. the readiness of the organization for the new approach. rapid. and the resources available. the staff the agency can assign to implementation efforts. on the basis of feedback. launching community policing through a special unit can lead to the misconception that the new policing style does not have to be integrated with all other facets of operations. well-trained unit often offers early indications of success and focuses the attention of the community and media on the beneficial nature of community policing. the constant shifts in goals and actions can be highly unsettling to the organization and the community it serves. and create appropriate support systems. Advocates note that the almost immediate action will catch officers’ attention at all organizational levels and will harness the existing enthusiasm to help mobilize support.
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Without adequate feedback. Change must come from the top down. Mistakes are bound to occur during implementation of community policing. the chief or sheriff must develop support at all levels of the organization. For the police it is an entirely different way of life .. D. The behavior of the chief executive will set the tone and pattern for the entire organization. It will require personal leadership of considerable strength and perseverance.: National Institute of Justice and John F.Monograph
Implementation within one or more districts or areas can serve to demonstrate success and generate valuable data for expanding community policing agencywide. and other policing agencies in the region.. the chief executives must gather support from the local government. Washington.35 Early mobilization of support for community policing is critical. feedback is essential. If agency leaders imply that community policing in the special unit or district constitutes a test to determine whether the approach should be expanded agencywide.C.
Mobilizing Support
The police executive will be called on to display exemplary leadership in the move to community policing.. Management must create a new. The effectiveness of the implementation of community policing throughout the organization will depend on the manner in which community policing goals are communicated initially. Recognizing mistakes.The task facing the police chief is nothing less than to change the fundamental culture of the organization . officers in the targeted district can help train others as community policing expands throughout the organization. Internally. Malcolm K. and learning from them should be built into well-planned feedback procedures. and strategies must be developed to deal effectively with obstacles to change. 1988:p. unified organizational outlook. No matter which approach is selected... but is the starting point for the agencywide implementation of community policing. externally.. Another advantage of district implementation is that it requires the cooperative efforts of all levels of management. handling them in a timely manner. like it or not.
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. Sparrow.Throughout the period of change the office of the chief executive is going to be surrounded by turbulence. Harvard University. The cooperation of the local mayor or city manager is imperative to
35. Managers should state unequivocally that the special unit or district is not a test site.2. Implementing Community Policing. The behavior of the chief executive will set the tone and pattern for the entire organization. competition and divisiveness can result. The community policing district must not be perceived as a mere adjunct to existing police procedures. Kennedy School of Government. public and private agencies.
Change must come from the top down. However. the media. agencies can encounter implementation problems that could have been avoided. Perspectives on Policing. but this may also require more time and effort than implementation within a special unit.

Edwin III. Gary W.
36. ed. employees may feel threatened and seek ways to resist.C. who do not invest in defining the new roles managers are expected to play. A lack of commitment from any of these key groups could result in failure. involving them in ongoing planning and implementation. Geller. Community Policing and the Police Officer.37 Keeping all personnel well informed. both inside and outside the agency. and citizen satisfaction are concepts that initially may threaten the supervisor who is more comfortable with the authoritarian role and routinized operations inherent in traditional policing.C. The early cooperation and influence of management is key to gaining support throughout the ranks. Washington.7. Some groups within the community may be suspicious of the concept in general.. Meese. Management must instill the agency with a new spirit of trust and cooperation that will be carried over into the relationships between the agency and its community policing partners. Planning and Implementation. “Research. 37.: National Institute of Justice and John F. William A. flexibility. Cordner. and Chuck Wexler. Harvard University. Resistance within the agency is inevitable as restructuring occurs. Chiefs who do not invest in assessing and responding to the honest attitudes of managers. Washington. A certain amount of opposition to community policing should be anticipated. Teamwork. and who do not provide their managers with the training they need to effectively fill these new roles are likely to
A certain amount of opposition to community policing should be anticipated. mutual participation in decisionmaking. Elected officials may be too impatient to await the results of a community policing effort or may prefer to have a newer version of current policing procedures. both inside and outside the agency.: International City Management Association. 1991. 3d edition. Fraser. as is the cooperation of local government decisionmakers and community organizations. Craig B. Thus. soliciting their input and suggestions.
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. D. Perspectives on Policing. the education of supervisors in new styles of leadership and management must be given a high priority if they are to carry out their responsibility for the success of community policing. Those at the highest level of command must be aware of the concerns of mid-level managers. During the implementation of any change. who may be particularly sensitive to the shifts in decisionmaking responsibility and to the wider discretion accorded patrol officers.Bureau of Justice Assistance
the successful implementation of a community policing strategy.” Local Government Police Management.36 This will be especially true if community policing is incorrectly perceived as being “soft on crime” and as making social service activities the patrol officers’ primary responsibility. Kennedy School of Government. D. and encouraging feedback in all areas of implementation are essential to obtaining organizationwide support. 1991:p.

redesign evaluation systems to give credit for contributions to the nature and quality of community life.
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. and establish new communication channels with other public service organizations.3. The chief may be able to support the work of commissions and committees that support ideas for change. Ibid. a chief might also disband some squads that emphasize traditional methods of policing. Forthcoming. it simply won’t make sense to undertake some before making others. Malcolm K.38 Agency leaders can also move to counter intraagency resistance by building a strong external constituency. 1988:p. The order of some changes will have an inherent logic. new training. . they will be tempted to bypass them and to go straight to the first-line officers with implementation plans. role changes for most personnel. while implementation that moves too quickly may create confusion and resentment and may threaten the success of the project through the use of hurried and ill-conceived methods. and an altered call-response system. In their frustration with managers. Kennedy School of Government. Easy “wins” may make the best openers. 40. In anticipation of a move to community policing. Implementing Community Policing. few first-line officers will be willing to risk changing their behaviors. Washington. Mary Ann and Timothy Oettmeier. D. Perspectives on Policing. Sparrow. Harvard University.C. All of these changes require careful consideration and coordination. revised schedules. Community policing requires major changes in operations including: decentralization of activities and facilities.: National Institute of Justice and John F. When this is the case.39 The chief or sheriff might make a public commitment to community policing and elicit from special interest groups a statement of their concerns. However.But without the support of the supervisors and managers. it may make sense to postpone the more difficult until later in the change timetable. expand training to include community partnership and problem-solving strategies..Monograph
be frustrated in their efforts to implement change. These efforts would allow the top management to approach the organization backed by a public mandate for community policing. These would be changes for which it should be possible to build the broadest base of
38. 39. Wycoff.40
Timing
Timing is an important factor in the implementation process. 1994.. Implementation that moves too slowly may dampen enthusiasm and reduce momentum. the ordering of some of the objectives may be optional.

Planning and Implementation. opportunities often come disguised as crises. The frequency and nature of criminal activity. Those opportunities can be defined as events that throw the spotlight on police policy and provide a ‘case in point’ justification for a reform proposal.: International City Management Association. Performance evaluation should no longer be a mere feedback mechanism. Wycoff.
41. Managers interested in reform will embrace crises and make the most of them. and managers must resist the instinctive impulse to think first of damage control. and Chuck Wexler.. Geller. . This analysis should include data for each community covering the following areas:
s s
The frequency and nature of calls for service. William A. Meeting some of the easier goals may help prepare the organization for the more difficult ones. 42
Managing Internal Change
Community policing necessitates the introduction of fundamental and comprehensive change to the police agency. Community policing depends on this stability. Deployment of Personnel Permanent or long-term shifts and beat assignments must be instituted if patrol officers are to form lasting and productive partnerships with the community.Bureau of Justice Assistance
support. Forthcoming. Ironically. 3d edition. community boundaries should be carefully drawn to preserve the integrity of existing neighborhoods and to encourage cooperation within the community.C.. “Research. Training will govern the pace of change and should affect more than just the new recruits. Successful implementation of community policing entails careful examination of the following organizational issues.
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. and Anthony V. 1994. 42. 1991:sidebar. Mary Ann and Timothy Oettmeier. but instead should be a tool to facilitate the change process. Organizational efforts must support the evolving responsibilities of patrol officers. . Sherman. information systems should move beyond the efficient processing of criminal offense reports to the delivery of timely and accurate information to officers. A comprehensive analysis of workloads across shifts and areas is essential to guide the deployment of personnel. Lawrence W. Cordner. Craig B. D. Bouza in Gary W. ed.41 Correct timing is often a matter of making the most of available opportunities. Police management should be ready to take advantage of any opportunity that could champion the cause of community policing.. Washington.. In addition. Fraser. For example.” Local Government Police Management.

Supervision Consistent supervision is necessary for effective community policing. implement. running interference. Harvard University. If middle managers are made an integral part of the problem-solving process.
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. which could allow some officers to return to patrol.. Bieck. rather than just another level of supervision.C. Oettmeier.
s
43.35.6.. D. Close collaboration between patrol officers and their supervisors is as critical to successful community policing as the partnership between the officer and the community members. Working with officers and community residents to create a system for the allocation and utilization of resources. Among the community policing responsibilities for first-line supervisors and mid-level managers are the following:
s s s
Close collaboration between patrol officers and their supervisors is as critical to successful community policing as the partnership between the officer and the community members. Integrating Investigative Operations Through Neighborhood-Oriented Policing: Executive Session #2. Sparrow. ” 43 Supervisors should function as mentors. they will become another resource for patrol officers. supervisors can help patrol officers respond to a wide variety of service demands. Perspectives on Policing. and manage problem-solving systems. While patrol officers need consistent supervision. Implementing Community Policing. and facilitators.: National Institute of Justice and John F. Working with officers and community members to develop. 1988:p.
Maintaining beat integrity. 44. Supervision will suffer if sergeants or lieutenants have schedules that only partially overlap those of the patrol officers. and suggesting appropriate auxiliary support. Civilians could also be hired for support positions not requiring policing skills. Overseeing the creation of beat profiles.. Malcolm K.44 By acting as liaisons. Community policing’s broad approach to problem solving can enhance communication and interaction between departmental levels. Kennedy School of Government.Monograph
s s
The expectations for response time.
Some agencies will need to increase the number of officers who are assigned to patrol operations and to readjust existing patrol assignments. “The attitude that police officers must be guided and directed at every turn must be discarded. Criminal investigation units may need to be surveyed to determine if efforts are being duplicated. 1988:p. The estimated time needed for community partnership and problemsolving activities. and William H. Washington. Houston: Houston Police Department. motivators. Timothy N. in order to reassign police personnel to community patrols..

and overseeing training and education. help the police organization sharpen its marketing message. Oettmeier. Mid-level managers should conduct regular meetings with their staff to discuss plans. Bieck.. facilitate group cohesiveness. programs. and assist personnel in reaching their maximum potential. 1988. Managers have a responsibility to enrich the jobs of their personnel by delegating authority. Human Resource Development Training is key to the effective implementation of community policing. All personnel must become skilled in the techniques of problem solving. seek direction and guidance. and unity both inside and outside the police organization.
Supervisors should also bring patrol officers into the management process. supervisors. Community policing skills should be integrated into the training curricula. Training should communicate and reinforce the changes taking place in organizational values and policies. and community members. They also must meet frequently with their superiors to provide updates. and William H. and should help build consensus. Houston: Houston Police Department.
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. and help expand strategies to address crime and disorder within communities. and team-building.
45. acting as mentors. Training should involve the entire agency and should include civilian personnel who can enlist participation in community meetings. as well as become actively involved in mobilizing the community in crimeprevention activities. Mid-level managers should eliminate impediments to the process of problem solving and to the attainment of results.Bureau of Justice Assistance
s
Assessing results and providing feedback on accomplishments and progress made in addressing problems of crime and disorder. They should evaluate the progress or failure of strategies. resolve. activities. who may feel their authority is being eroded by the modified priorities of the organization. not treated as a separate component of the training program. or responses based on performance indicators supplied by officers. motivating. and incorporate sophisticated technology into the organization’s service-oriented operations. Timothy N. Initial training efforts should be directed at managers and supervisors. they must be relied on to transmit and translate the new concepts to those they supervise. They must learn to manage multifunctional teams and to assume more responsibility for strategic planning. Training in community policing should supplement law enforcement techniques with communication and leadership skills that will encourage participation from the community. and results.45 More important. Integrating Investigative Operations Through Neighborhood-Oriented Policing: Executive Session #2.

John E. and evaluating the efforts of patrol officers. Police Accountability and Community Policing. coordinating. and Suzanne Whalley. Eventually.: National Institute of Justice and John F. Washington. 1987:pp. 48. Kennedy School of Government. They must develop planning. Brann.104–6. Sacramento: Attorney General’s Crime Prevention Center. initiative. Since officers are working as part of a team. Problem Solving: Problem-Oriented Policing in Newport News.C.: Police Executive Research Forum. and leadership skills through ongoing. these officers will be able to assist in the training of others. organization.Monograph
The training of mid-level managers should emphasize their role in facilitating the problem-solving process by coaching. they should not be evaluated as if they were operating alone. one agency chief required all personnel with the rank of sergeant and above to attend training sessions that had three goals: to show supervisors how to manage officers’ time so that problems could be addressed without diminishing police capability for handling calls. Performance Evaluation and Reward Performance evaluation can be a valuable management tool for facilitating change and can help communicate agency priorities to employees. Other relevant performance measures include the extent to which personnel have formed partnerships with the community and the nature of their contributions to this team effort.
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. thorough training. D..”48 The insight. Eck.74. the motivation behind the action also must be
Systems for evaluating personnel performance should reflect the goals of community policing. Kelling..46 Patrol officers must also receive extensive training that encourages and develops both initiative and discretionary ability—a dramatic departure from traditional thinking. “COPPS: The Transformation of Police Organizations.. problem solving. Systems for evaluating personnel performance should reflect the goals of community policing. Joseph E. and to ensure that all trainees knew what was expected of them and their officers. The occasional mistake made by an officer seeking to solve community issues in a proactive manner would be an inappropriate measure of performance. to describe how problems should be analyzed. “Managers cannot have it both ways. D. Hubert Williams. They cannot ask officers to be risktakers and then discipline them when occasional mistakes occur. Robert Wasserman.” Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving. 47. Harvard University. Washington.6. 1988:p. “Emphasizing quality over quantity represents a major difference between traditional policing and community-oriented policing. To prepare mid-level managers for their community policing responsibilities. and creativity shown by personnel should be considered in the performance appraisal.C. George L. and William Spelman.”47 Patrol officers could be evaluated on how well they know their beats—a prerequisite for identification of problems—and how effectively they and their supervisors have adopted problem-solving techniques. 1992:p.
46. communication.

and working conditions of this position should encourage people to spend an entire career in patrol. Retaining the services of personnel who are skilled in community policing depends. These awards will help solidify commitments and encourage continued cooperation among community policing participants. ed. Dennis Jay Kenney. in large part. Eck. especially for patrol officers. Rewards must be consistent with the values and methods associated with community policing. Washington.: Police Executive Research Forum. Rewards also include the establishment of well-defined and suitable career paths for all personnel. on appropriate rewards for solid performance. or deliberate disregard for policing policies. Patrol officers and supervisors should be evaluated and rewarded for exceptional skills in problem solving or community mobilization efforts. “A Problem-Oriented Approach to Police Service Delivery.”49 Management should also consider expanding the criteria for the existing award program and placing more emphasis on community partnership and problem-solving skills. and William Spelman. or by having the caller come to the station. 1989:p. Nonemergency calls can be handled by delayed officer response..” Police and Policing: Contemporary Issues. The backbone of community policing is the patrol officer and the status. John E. Mark H. “In effect. Beyond Command and Control: The Strategic Management of Police Departments. rather than on the number of calls handled or parking tickets issued.Bureau of Justice Assistance
considered. D. New York: Praeger. Stephens.. what is needed is a system that rewards advancement through skill levels in the same job as much or more than it rewards advancement through the ranks. 50. by mail. Mistakes made in an honest attempt to solve a problem should not be evaluated in the same manner as mistakes made through carelessness. Workload Control and Information Systems The efficient management of service calls is essential for officers to have sufficient time to interact and work with community members to solve problems of crime and disorder. Some departments have invited community members to help select police award recipients. 1991:p. and Darrel W.
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. Moore.94. lack of commitment.50
49. Most agencies control 911 calls for service by determining which calls demand an immediate response and which can be handled with alternate responses or through a referral to another agency. by telephone.C. Research shows that the public will not insist on an immediate response to a nonemergency service request if the alternative response is both appropriate and performed as described. Specific career development opportunities should reward past effort and allow room for growth. Others have added awards for community members who participate in police efforts. pay.101.

. conducting neighborhood victimization surveys. Oettmeier.g. Malcolm. Sparrow. Strategic analysis is a natural by-product of the problem-oriented approach ..Strategic analysts should attempt to identify why problems exist in neighborhoods as well as identify the conditions that contribute to and perpetuate crime. .Monograph
The problem-solving orientation of community policing requires a greater emphasis on analytic skills and expert systems management to obtain the most valuable information support.4. and voice mail can also relieve the overburdened 911 systems and provide vital communication links between communities and the police. Integrating Investigative Operations Through Neighborhood-Oriented Policing: Executive Session #2. and assessing the impact of environmental changes on criminal activity. .. Cellular telephones.. geocoding and mapping technology can prove invaluable to the problem-solving process. management must ensure that technological innovations are integrated into community policing activities in a way that fosters meaningful cooperation and aids in the process of problem solving. e. Information support will have to be provided for problems that have not been previously studied and for the incorporation of data from outside the department.51 Analysis must go beyond identifying and forecasting crime patterns. 1993:p. Washington..Research suggests that releasing local crime statistics to the public will not increase the public’s
Analysis must go beyond identifying and forecasting crime patterns. [In a test] using personal computers with specially designed software. In addition. Bieck. interacting with school officials.. Modern CAD (computer-aided dispatch) systems can assist in prioritizing police response to service requests. D. fax machines.52 Strategic analysis will require that information be collected by a number of unconventional methods. 1988:p. and William H.. This information will certainly prove useful in the planning and implementation of tactical responses and crime prevention strategies. .This strategy holds considerable promise for mapping less-serious incivilities (not only the dramatic incidents) that lower the quality of neighborhood life.
51..C. Information Systems and the Development of Policing. tactical analysis should be supplemented with strategic analysis. pagers. Timothy N.strategic analysis seeks to identify factors that contribute to crime and non-crime problems. Technology tends to heighten the isolation of the police from the public. therefore.64. canvassing rehabilitation centers and hospitals. Harvard University... community groups were able to map data provided by daily police reports.: National Institute of Justice and John F.. Advancements in technology now allow computerized maps of neighbor-hood activity. Perspectives on Policing. 52. Kennedy School of Government.
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. Houston: Houston Police Department. tactical analysis should be supplemented with strategic analysis.

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. In a sense.C. so that contact with community residents can be maximized. Washington. ed.. allowing them greater access to the community. Jr. supervisors. drive. and ability will help spur the progress of community policing. The duties of staffing storefront facilities can be shared among officers. instead of driving many miles to attend roll call. while another used a closed-down roadhouse in a rural area to provide residents with easier access to police services. William A. This might entail the use of laptop computers and other mobile communications equipment. the deputies’ homes become satellite stations. and outside sources such as consultants should be designated by the chief. Some deputies in sparsely populated rural areas are allowed to report in by phone. 1991:p.
Facilitating the Implementation Process
Astute chief executives will realize that leadership ability can be found at many levels. one or more internal coordinators. both inside and outside the police organization.” Local Government Police Management. D. statistics showing an increase in burglaries or rapes in a specific section of town should be shared with the community to further the problem-solving process. Wide dissemination and information sharing are essential components of community policing.116.53 All data should be made available through an integrated management information system that can be conveniently accessed by patrol officers.Bureau of Justice Assistance
fear of crime so long as the statistics are accompanied by specific.
53. Rosenbaum. Fear Reduction. feasible crime prevention recommendations. command staff. Police chiefs will not be able to manage the entire implementation process. Geller. therefore. Facilities Effective community collaboration and interaction will require patrol officers to be more accessible to community members. For example.: International City Management Association. and the Community. “Crime Prevention. Dennis P. One police jurisdiction operated a storefront station at a shopping mall. Pertinent and appropriate information should be made available to members of the community whenever possible. a team or committee. police executives must take responsibility for directing implementation efforts and outlining the parameters for addressing the various facets of community policing. particularly with assistance from the community. However. Strong and continued leadership from the top of the organization will reduce confusion and disagreement at lower levels. They should enlist the help of people whose ideas. These sites provide officers and citizens with the opportunity to discuss problems and plan activities. civilian employees. Eusevio Hernandez. and Sylvester Daughtry. and support personnel. and community residents. “Storefront” police offices or “mini-stations” within neighborhoods can be established quite inexpensively.

and Robert K.55 This means that while a chairperson will direct and coordinate each committee’s activities. For greater effectiveness.61. including knowledge about the implementation of community policing strategies and suggestions for gathering relevant information. including political and business leaders and the media. task force. Different emphases and images may be appropriate for different audiences. should adequately represent all levels of the agency in experience and function. therefore. Community Wellness: A New Theory of Policing. the efforts of committees should be coordinated by one or more facilitators who share the chief’s thinking and understand the ultimate goals of community policing.C. “External Resources. or committee will also have other responsibilities. other agencies. 55. Executives loaned from private sector companies also may be useful to police organizations. an internal coordinator may be needed to provide daily support for team efforts. Outside consultants can also facilitate implementation because they are frequently able to gain access to all levels of the organization more easily than an internal coordinator. however. internal coordinators should be recruited from the command level of the organization to avoid communication problems.C.Monograph
Members of an implementation team. and members of the community whose assistance would be instrumental to the success of a community policing strategy.: International City Management Association. Washington. a message to one group should not contradict or neutralize an equally valid message to another.
. .465.
Marketing: Selecting a Message and an Image
Before implementing a community policing strategy.
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. “The private sector uses such programs to allow one or more employees to work. Officers on the implementation team must be allowed to participate outside the traditional lines of authority. Robert C. 1991:p. police unions. ed.”54 To ensure a smooth transition to community policing. top management should consider creating a broad-based implementation team. In addition. An agencywide team. Olson. the agency should communicate the concept of community policing to its own personnel and to the community. Williams. which could be divided into a number of committees. there should be no rank within committees. for a not-for-profit or community organization for as long as a year at a time.. William A.: Police Executive Research Forum.” Local Government Police Management. . Consultants can bring a wealth of experience to the implementation process. 1990:p. with pay.
54. Hubert. Geller. Occasionally consultants may encounter resistance within agencies that are not accustomed to external assistance. The police chief must have frequent contact with all committees. Washington. Wadman. An even broader team might include representatives from local government. D. top management should consider creating a broad-based implementation team. D.

flyers. Marketing involves communicating through symbols. the theme might emphasize a new “customer-service” orientation to policing. Both messages and roles are valid...
56. while the other shows the benefits of trust-building and partnerships with the community. and in person by command staff and chief executives. Mary Ann and Timothy Oettmeier. one emphasizes problem solving as a valuable anticrime tool. All who are marketing the concept must be careful not to claim more for community policing than it can deliver. roll-call briefings. and testimonials by those whom the community and officers respect. Marketing messages are conveyed internally through memos. Subsidiary points—problem solving. For example.Bureau of Justice Assistance
For example. Neighborhood-Oriented Policing becomes ‘Nobody On Patrol’ or ‘NOPE’. Wycoff.. The agency’s internal media relations unit should thoroughly understand the chief executive’s vision of community policing and communicate it clearly in news releases and interviews. Externally. posters.People begin to play games with the acronym. or ridding neighborhoods of signs of neglect or disorder—could be grouped under the umbrella of this central theme. An excellent example of a central theme is the “Together We Can” slogan that will steer the marketing of community policing efforts in Chicago.. agencies should settle on a dominant theme and communicate it consistently both internally and externally. . on the other hand. . it needs careful consideration.”56 The media must be included early in the implementation process to market successfully the idea of community policing. the media also will be less apt to “derail” if there is a bump in the crime statistics or if some community policing policies are less effective than hoped. then the label provides a positive rallying symbol . there is substantial resistance to the change. stories about real-life situations.
Media involvement ensures a wide dissemination of the community policing message and encourages the media to stay involved in future community policing efforts .
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. or highlight the prospects community policing holds for creating secure neighborhoods. newsletters. community contact. Forthcoming. 1994. they are publicized through public forums.
To avoid sending contradictory messages. among others. Although the use of a label or acronym to help market community policing seems a small matter. Media involvement ensures a wide dissemination of the community policing message and encourages the media to stay involved in future community policing efforts. focus on partnership building. . and special videos. If the budget allows. media consultants can be useful. public service announcements. meetings. messages to officers focusing on problem solving and arrests might conflict with images directed at the general public showing officers distributing teddy bears to preschoolers... If employees are generally supportive of the change. then the label becomes a negative rallying symbol . and the officers’ personal contact with community members.If.

ensuring continued participation. both in terms of achieving necessary change within the organization itself and accomplishing external goals (such as.Chapter 5
Monograph
Assessing the Progress of Community Policing
Community Policing
A
critical aspect of implementation is the assessment of community policing efforts. and documenting the progress made. Assessment becomes even more vital when an organization is undergoing the comprehensive changes that a shift to community policing will entail. Assessment also can help communicate agency expectations to employees. Conversely. Therefore. Ongoing assessment meets a number of fundamental needs. The most effective strategies also need to be identified so managers can make informed choices about where to allocate limited resources. Thus. which should strengthen the trust and partnership on which community policing is based. fear. Every government and public agency. and offers key decisionmakers in the jurisdiction a way to gauge the impact and cost-effectiveness of community policing efforts. Ongoing assessment helps give the organization a clear sense of direction and allows management to focus efforts on the most productive and efficient practices. assessment is indispensable in determining which elements of community policing should be maintained. Assessment will help determine whether necessary changes in the support systems are taking place and whether appropriate efforts are being made to accomplish the stated goals. including the police. Thorough assessment helps make police more responsive to the community’s needs. Giving community members a way to measure the success of community policing efforts is critical to maintaining strong ties. should be able to give an accurate account of its current activities to policymakers and taxpayers. ongoing assessment of policy and performance should be a primary function of any policing organization. establishing working relationships with the community and reducing levels of crime. Constant assessment of the process of change is needed for managers to determine how to keep the implementation process on track. evaluations of the community policing strategy from government and community leaders will affect how future cooperative efforts are constructed. and disorder). altered. or eliminated.
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as well as to chart progress and document accomplishments. In every organization.
44
. which obstacles stand in the way of change. and reveal new opportunities for productive partnerships with the community.Bureau of Justice Assistance
Developing a sound assessment program should begin with a strategic plan that outlines the goals. Periodic personnel surveys can also help determine what modifications have occurred in management style.
Three Criteria for Assessment
Evaluating the impact of community policing is critical for many reasons. As with implementation methods. management must take nothing for granted in the implementation of community policing policies and procedures. and assigns personnel for internal and external changes. and patrol officers. Assessment of the more intangible internal changes. and the police organization must be able to measure the success or failure of its policies and activities. These goals and responsibilities will form the basis of performance assessment and will allow police leadership to detect failures and roadblocks. methods. and timetables. Ongoing monitoring will expedite the implementation process. Key decisionmakers must be able to judge the strategy’s impact and costeffectiveness. The chief should also consult patrol officers to obtain their views on the implementation process. for example. and how agency leadership can facilitate the necessary adjustments in the roles of managers. aid problem solving. The chief executive and the head of the implementation team could meet regularly with groups of managers and supervisors to discuss changes in decisionmaking authority. the decentralization of management. Regular reports on progress and problems relating to specific community policing objectives and timetables should be supplied by members of the implementation team. can be complex. “How is the implementation going? Is it on track? What problems are occurring? What help is needed?” In smaller organizations. objectives. assessment measures will vary depending on the size of the organization and the nature of its current policies. The chief executive should constantly ask. the chief executive should hold regular meetings with the personnel responsible for overseeing community policing implementation and should ask for reports on efforts with the goal of both reinforcing accountability and allowing for immediate discussion of problems. attract support. therefore. supervisors.
Assessing Internal Changes
Large gaps can exist between policy and actions. these questions can be answered through a process called “management by walking around” in which the chief visits key managers and implementation groups to get on-the-spot reports on implementation efforts.

a broader set of assessment criteria. As police take a proactive role in deterring crime. and ingenuity should be emphasized in the evaluation of individual officers. Many of the traditional methods of assessment remain valid. decrease citizens’ fear of crime. Therefore. Three major criteria—effectiveness.
45
. etc. These assessments were often taken only at times of serious crime increases. but can measure only the effectiveness of crime-fighting tactics and cannot gauge the effect of crime-prevention efforts. initiative. therefore. Traditional crime-control activities should become only one of the ways in which the community policing strategy and individual officers are assessed. assessing a community policing strategy is a qualitative as well as a quantitative process.g. therefore. Changes in the scope of policing necessitate a revised system for evaluating the performance of individuals.Monograph
In the past. the length of police response. as well as agencies. quality of interaction with community members. etc. crime statistics. initiative. Effectiveness An effective community policing strategy will reduce neighborhood crime. police efforts usually have been evaluated on a traditional and narrow set of criteria (e. Assessing the effectiveness of community policing efforts includes determining whether problems have been solved and judging how well the managers and patrol officers have applied the
Creativity.).. absence of fear. and enhance the quality of life in the community. efficiency. and ingenuity should be emphasized in the evaluation of individual officers. Many indications of the success of community policing efforts are intangible (e. and equity—can be used to provide the quantitative and qualitative measures needed to assess the success of a community policing strategy. an early measure of effectiveness will be the number and type of community partnerships that have been formed. will be needed. Assessment should reward organizational and individual behavior that assists in deterring crime and solving other neighborhood problems. Creativity. The values that the department promotes will form the basis of sound qualitative measures of effectiveness.). the level of fear and concern.. Randomly and routinely conducted surveys will inform the agency of the public view of police performance. An important goal of community policing is to provide higher quality service to neighborhoods. the number of arrests and citations. and will make the agency aware of the extent to which community members feel as if they are participants in the community policing effort. customer satisfaction becomes an important measure of effectiveness. the number of 911 calls. The perception of progress among community members and ongoing feedback from all elements of the community are essential parts of the assessment process. The cooperation and participation of community members is necessary to deter crime and reduce the fear of crime in the neighborhood. which incorporate traditional measures of crime-fighting activities with those that encompass community partnership and problemsolving activities. One of the core components of community policing is community partnership.g.

and many will not even be considered a priority by the police agency. the number of 911 calls will likely decrease over time. Satisfactory assessment measures for community policing must give proper credit to officers like this who successfully abate a problem through means other than arrest. Community members will not act if they are afraid or suspicious.
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. officers may act as facilitators to mobilize community support. which will provide a quantitative measure of the strategy’s effect. the officer (cited in Chapter 3). as community confidence in police capability rises and community trust increases. the concerns and fears of community members should order the priorities of the agency. In community policing. the mobilization and intelligent use of community resources in solving problems and the sensitive handling of dissension become important factors in assessing the performance of officers and the success of the program. ranging from converting abandoned buildings to community assets to involving police actively in neighborhood watch groups. where serious crime is not involved. However. The officer’s contribution to solving the problem and his consultations with members of the community showed the concern and effectiveness of police officers and created the goodwill for the department that is crucial to the success of community policing. For instance. solving problems often does not involve arrest and. the number of arrests made is only one possible measure of effective problem solving. In fact. They may also function as mediators in disputes between individuals or organizations. However. his efforts did provide valuable information that could help deter future robberies. Assessment should measure whether a problem was solved and how this was accomplished. As stated earlier. Community members should become more willing to work with the police in a variety of ways. emergency calls in the pioneering Flint. does not guarantee that a problem will disappear completely. who determined that one of the underlying causes of an increase in convenience store robberies was that cash registers could not be seen by passersby. in many cases. Thus. Not all of the problems will involve criminal activity. They might also be more comfortable providing information on criminal activity in the area.Bureau of Justice Assistance
community partnership and problem-solving components of community policing described in Chapter 3. did not eradicate the burglary. calls to report crime may increase considerably during the early phases of community policing implementation.
Assessment should measure whether a problem was solved and how this was accomplished. Increased levels of community participation in crime reduction and prevention efforts is another indication of program success. The number and type of problems solved and the creativity and scope of the solutions will provide a way to measure community policing’s effectiveness. For example. or take responsibility for referring a problem to the appropriate social or government agency. However. The effective use of government and community agencies in problem solving is an indication that community policing policies are working.

417. These services include aiding accident and crime victims. a lower percentage of calls reporting criminal activity in proportion to calls requesting social assistance) will provide a measure of how well the strategy is working. Renewed activity within the community also will demonstrate the effectiveness of community policing efforts.” Journal of Police Science and Administration 11(1983):p. drunks. particularly in areas where citizens have been afraid to leave their homes. To measure the efficiency of community policing. foot patrol district dropped 43 percent over the course of the experiment.57 A concrete indication of community policing’s success is the commitment of an increased level of community resources devoted to crime reduction efforts. the very fact that community members are reclaiming their streets will help deter future criminal activity and create more vigorous neighborhoods. arbitrating neighborhood and domestic disputes. An increased willingness of citizens to walk to schools and parks. particularly in areas where citizens have been afraid to leave their homes. Reduction in fear can also result in the perception among residents that crime is on the wane. Removing signs of neglect (e. panhandlers. Agencies that can successfully enhance and realign their resources by forming community partnerships will be able to make community policing more efficient and cost-effective. Communities also should begin to initiate and conduct projects with minimal guidance from the police. and go to restaurants and movies will signal a general decrease in fear of crime. Active consultation and financial participation by public and private agencies. derelict buildings. Robert C. the business community. In community policing. the police function includes the provision of services that in the recent past have been regarded as outside policing’s purview. and providing emergency medical and social services.g. patronize stores. Efficiency Efficiency means getting the most results with available resources... abandoned cars. and prostitutes— perhaps with the help of public and private social agencies—will enhance the quality of life. The assessment must then determine whether these resources are being used to their fullest to solve any given problem.Monograph
Michigan. citizen groups. whether or not this is statistically accurate. An analysis of the nature of calls for police service (e. and garbage and debris) will offer tangible evidence that community policing efforts are working to bring about increased order in the community. “An Evaluation of a Neighborhood Foot Patrol Program. In turn. and the neighborhood must first be defined.
57. Trojanowicz. and the business community will demonstrate that communitypartnership efforts are working.g. the resources of the police agency. schools.
Renewed activity within the community will demonstrate the effectiveness of community policing efforts. Ridding the streets of gangs. Improved quality of life is difficult to measure but is an important goal of community policing and will be reflected in comments from community members.
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. local government and private agencies.

the job satisfaction they experience will help make the community policing strategy a success.Bureau of Justice Assistance
Two major shifts must occur within the police organization if community policing is to work efficiently.”59
58. With high morale and greater job satisfaction. and appropriately rewarded for their efforts. patrol officers will more effectively mobilize the community. The roles and responsibilities of all personnel in the police organization are altered so that the leadership and ingenuity officers display will become important factors in determining the efficiency of the program.76. given the necessary support. 1991:p. at the same time. Assessment and reward procedures must therefore be revised accordingly. Partnerships in the community can bring fresh resources to problems.: Police Executive Research Forum. This “pride of ownership” motivates both parties to solve the problems that affect the security and harmony of the neighborhood.C. Special edition (June 1993):p. Patrol officers who handle daily police functions can form stronger bonds with the community. If they are highly motivated.
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. Staunch partnerships and collaborative efforts must first be established with the community. Prinslow. Washington. Community help will increase the efficiency of the program and relieve some of the strain of tight police budgets. Mark H. decisionmaking. Their long-term shifts and neighborhood patrol assignments give them the opportunity to function more efficiently and successfully. Oregon. and frustration on the part of constituents. working collectively as a partner with community members while. Beyond Command and Control: The Strategic Management of Police Departments. D. with guidance and backing from supervisors. Such decentralization challenges personnel to be more creative and more effective because the decisions they make are more timely and influenced by firsthand knowledge of the facts.58 Decentralization also gives higher level managers more time to formulate strategies that will improve the organization’s performance. dollars. Stephens.” Roll Call. The command structure of the police organization must then be decentralized so that problem solving. allowing them to see the immediate results of their efforts. Moore. “There is virtually no limitation on how much more effective and efficient a sheriff’s office can become.. 59. and accountability are spread to all levels of the organization. Officers are often able to resolve issues quickly. According to one sheriff. and Darrel W. saving resources. “Community Policing in Marion County. In a decentralized policing organization. neighborhood patrol officers are responsible for the daily policing needs of the community. Robert J.9. even those traditionally considered “police-only” business. Patrol officers will experience greater job satisfaction as they accept higher levels of responsibility and accountability.

Low-priority situations can be handled by telephone. Expanded and thorough training is paramount in an efficient shift to community policing. will eventually make the process more efficient. New York: McGraw Hill. For example. actions taken. While an important supervisory role is to help maximize the amount of time neighborhood officers can spend in their communities. help secure resources. has the greatest impact on the success of community policing. and provide guidance and support to neighborhood officers. but equity has the greatest impact on the success of community policing. Herman. community policing will require supervisors to coordinate problem-solving activities within and across communities. one large jurisdiction implementing community policing required sergeants to coordinate officer decisionmaking across beats as necessary and to confer with their lieutenants on decisions that involved a large or long-term commitment of resources. although initially costly in terms of dollars and time. evaluate activities and decisions. Alternative response strategies for nonemergency calls include a delayed-officer response and officer response by appointment. and mail-in reporting. as well-trained and experienced personnel share practical knowledge with colleagues. Efficiency must be built into each aspect of the community policing strategy—from the creation of community boundaries that cultivate productive alliances to the adoption of technologies that increase communication. the third major criterion for judging progress. Budgets must reflect the goals of community policing by allocating money and resources in proportion to the results achieved. Efficiency in larger agencies may be increased by redefining job functions at all management levels. Sophisticated technological advances can help prioritize calls and facilitate communication among community policing partners. With decentralization police officers who have the greatest responsibility for the daily policing operations will have more direct input into budgetary decisions and greater accountability for financial decisions. and results achieved. reduce officer frustration.
Effectiveness and efficiency are important yardsticks by which to measure community policing’s achievements.
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.
60. Problem-Oriented Policing. walk-in.Monograph
Decentralized decisionmaking and community partnership engenders new organizational and resource issues that must be addressed to operate the system efficiently. Intensive training.20–21. but equity. Also central to achieving efficiency in time and dollars is controlling calls for service. Lieutenants in turn apprised their respective captains about happenings on beats across their districts. Such amended roles for midlevel managers may promote efficiency through fewer levels of supervision. 1990: pp. “All indications are that these systems save an enormous amount of time. and are equally satisfactory to the callers.”60 Effectiveness and efficiency are important yardsticks by which to measure community policing’s achievements. Goldstein.

and even violence within a community. Police must treat all individuals according to the constitutional rights that officers are sworn to protect and enforce. and use reason and persuasion rather than coercion wherever possible because inequitable or harsh treatment can lead to frustration. and the mentally or physically handicapped. Police must treat all persons with respect and impartiality— including the homeless. personal characteristics. all citizens should have a say in how they are governed. religion.S. Careful attention to the constitutional rights of citizens. the poor. Equal access to police services. hostility. Neighborhood officers must not discriminate against any community members. Equal treatment under the constitution. as understood in community policing activities. Equity. Favoritism of one group over another will severely hamper future cooperative efforts. Officers may relate better to citizens as individuals because they cooperate closely with and are recognized as an integral part of the community. They must reject stereotypes. and equal distribution of police services and resources among communities. must have equal access to police services for a full and productive partnership with a community. Supervisors should help ensure that police services are readily available throughout the community. or group affiliation. Community policing can thus become a force for enhancing democratic principles. equal treatment of all individuals under the U. regardless of race. lines of communication must be kept open with all partners in the community policing effort. Groups who are more vocal than others cannot be permitted to use community policing to serve their own purposes. and unwavering equality because officers have to work closely with the community and will be increasingly confronted with ethical dilemmas. The paramount commitment of community policing should be respect for all citizens and sensitivity to their needs. Constitution. or perpetrators will help to engender bonds of trust between the police and community.
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. Community policing provides an opportunity to emphasize uncompromising integrity. victims. unyielding standards of fairness. A foremost tenet of community policing is equity. ignore skin color. that is. which all police officers are sworn to uphold. Police must prevent such behavior before it adversely affects the trust that has been established within and among communities.Bureau of Justice Assistance
Equity Equity is grounded firmly in the Constitution of the United States. All citizens. In addition. has three dimensions: equal access to police services by all citizens. Some contemporary community activists and leaders have experienced past confrontations with the police which may present serious challenges to implementing community policing and involving the community in policing efforts. Such unethical behavior will imperil the trust so necessary to community policing.

however. Beyond 911: A New Era for Policing.180. Because community policing customizes policing services to the needs of each community. For equitable distribution of resources among communities. services should be distributed equitably among poor and minority communities. to ensure that this is the case. Some neighborhoods may appear unwilling to help police in their efforts to improve life in the community.. a police agency will be able to develop measures that accurately chart successes and failures and indicate where changes need to be made.. With more experience in community policing. who may have to bridge differences of race and class before a level of trust and cooperation can be established. . all communities must have equal access to police services. Officers must realize that sometimes “the community seems so helpless because it feels abandoned and would discover new strengths if only the police could make an effective alliance with important community elements. The values of the policing organization must guide the move to community policing. all communities must have equal access to police services. Equity. Wealthier communities are often able to contribute more resources to the problem-solving process than can poorer communities. Moore.
61. however.”61 One community must not be given preference over another. and shape every decision made and every action taken. may not always mean equal distribution of police services and resources. Poor and minority neighborhoods can present particular challenges for some patrol officers. Kennedy. requiring more police intervention and a larger share of police resources to decrease crime and transform neighborhoods from places of fear into city or county assets. Crime rates will also be higher in some communities.
.
Refining the Assessment Process
Assessment of community policing is an ongoing process that should include a reevaluation of the assessment measures themselves.. . Sparrow. Above all. Mark H. Each neighborhood officer must listen to the community members. each community must articulate its needs and be willing to work with the police to ensure its share of police services.
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.Monograph
Equal distribution of police services and resources among communities. Care must be taken. Malcolm. police organizations must be responsive to community priorities and demands for service from the beginning of the community policing effort. and be willing to work with the community members to meet those needs. USA: Basic Books. and David M.Departments that have taken early steps [into community policing] are full of stories of apparently lost neighborhoods that flowered under new police attention. 1990:p.

Bureau of Justice Assistance
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.

Achieving ongoing partnerships with the community and eradicating the underlying causes of crime will take planning. flexibility. but police leadership must make it clear to city and county officials that implementing community policing is an incremental and long-term process. must stress that the success of community policing depends on sustained joint efforts of the police. and patience. Local political leadership may be eager for fast results.
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. it is not a quick fix. Community policing calls for long-term commitment. and members of the community. time. The police organization.Chapter 6
Monograph
Conclusion
Community Policing
P
olice agencies should not allow political leaders and the public to develop unrealistic expectations for community policing in terms of crime deterrence or speed of implementation. Political and community leaders must be regularly informed of the progress of community policing efforts to keep them interested and involved. local government. This cooperation is indispensable to deterring crime and revitalizing our neighborhoods. from the chief executive down. Management can measure progress by their success in meeting interim goals and must reinforce the concept inside and outside the organization that success is reached through a series of gradual improvements. public and private agencies.

Robert C. and David Sinclair. Office of Justice Programs. Rockville.: U. East Lansing. Hans. B. Law and Order Reconsidered. 1992. D.C.: Michigan State University. Mich. Md. 1988. 1988. Trojanowicz.. Trojanowicz.S. Michigan State University.. Mich. Stratta. Robert C. Mich.. Preventing Civil Disturbances: A Community Policing Approach. and Bonnie Bucqueroux. Office of Justice Programs. 1991.
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.” Police Journal 15(2)(April1992). “Lack of Consultation. Robert C. Department of Justice. Washington. Moore The Meaning of Community in Community Policing. Robert C.” Policing 6(3)(Autumn 1990). Toch. Cincinnati. Government Printing Office. National Neighborhood Foot Patrol Center. Community Policing and the Challenge of Diversity. 1991. East Lansing. 1969. and David Carter. Mich. and J. Trojanowicz. School of Criminal Justice.C. Trojanowicz. National Institute of Justice. Washington. Police As Problem Solvers.: Michigan State University.. National Institute of Justice. East Lansing. Office of Justice Programs. Robert C.: National Neighborhood Foot Patrol Center. Toward Development of Meaningful and Effective Performance Evaluations. Richard Gleason. and Susan Trojanowicz. Robert C. 1987. School of Criminal Justice. and Mark H. East Lansing. Community Policing.S. Community Policing: University Input Into Campus Police Policy-Making. Department of Justice. National Institute of Justice. “Constraints to Community-Oriented Policing. Trojanowicz. Bonnie Pollard. Michigan State University. Ohio: Anderson Publishing Company.” Journal of Police Science Administration 11(4)(December 1983). Trojanowicz.. Trojanowicz. Robert C. Trojanowicz. “An Evaluation of a Neighborhood Foot Patrol Program. Robert C.: National Center for Community Policing. Robert C. and Bonnie Bucqueroux.: U. Benson.S.: National Neighborhood Foot Patrol Center. Washington. and Bonnie Bucqueroux. Douglas Grant. East Lansing.C.Monograph
Staff report to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. Philosophy and Role of Community Policing. Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice.. Mich. School of Criminal Justice. 1982. Taylor. M. New York: Plenum Publishing Corporations. 1990.S. D. D. Trojanowicz. Robert C. Community Policing: Community Input Into Police Policy-Making. E.: U. 1988. Department of Justice. An Evaluation of a Neighborhood Foot Patrol Program in Flint. Trojanowicz. 1989. Michigan..: U.

. The Systems Approach to Crime and Drug Prevention: A Path to Community Policing. Working as Partners With Community Groups. An Introduction to DARE: Drug Abuse Resistance Education. NCJ 143712. NCJ 143709. Partnership to Prevent Youth Violence. NCJ 148458. Neighborhood-Oriented Policing in Rural Communities: A Planning Guide. An Introduction to the National DARE Parent Program. Call the BJA Clearinghouse at 800–688–4252 to order these publications. NCJ 129862. A Police Guide to Surveying Citizens and Their Environment. NCJ 143710. NCJ 142422. NCJ 148459. National Service and Public Safety: Partnerships for Safer Communities. NCJ 143711.For More Information
BJA has a range of publications related to community Policing including:
• • • • • • • • • Problem-Oriented Drug Enforcement: A Community-Based Approach for Effective Policing. NCJ 146842.